‘They want to make sure that all bases are covered’ – Dinesh Karthik on why India didn’t enforce the follow-on in Mumbai Test

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has put forth the reasons behind India not enforcing the follow-on in the second Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The second day of the ongoing encounter completely belonged to the hosts, who are leading by a mammoth margin of 332 runs with all their 10 wickets left in the second innings.

Earlier, India bowled the Kiwis out for 62 and garnered a humongous first innings lead of 263. However, skipper Virat Kohli didn’t enforce the follow-on on a slow and low strip in Mumbai. Kohli’s decision furrowed a lot of eyebrows, but Karthik has talked about the rationale behind the move.

Karthik, who last donned the national colours in the 2019 50-over World Cup in England and Wales, said that India batted again to get all their bases covered.

Dinesh Karthik gives his opinions

“I get the feeling that you’ve got to understand that there’s obviously a tour of South Africa to follow. If you just this Test match, you won’t get extra points if you win in three or four days. I just feel that the more you bat, the worse wicket is going to get. So, it will be easier for them (India) to roll over New Zealand in the second innings,” Karthik told on Cricbuzz.

“Now they have an opportunity to bat, they are way ahead in the game, and have more than enough runs. But they are just trying to rub it in and make sure that are covered,” he stated.

Karthik also said that it’s high time for Cheteshwar Pujara to score some runs especially before India’s tour of South Africa. “I am sure that they’d love to see (Cheteshwar) Pujara get some runs, Virat Kohli if he gets an opportunity to bat and score some runs,” Karthik added.

As far as the ongoing game is concerned, with three days left in the match, Kohli’s men are well and truly on the driver’s seat. Mayank Agarwal and Pujara opened the batting in the second innings and remained unbeaten at the close of the second day’s play at the iconic venue.