Rohit Sharma explains why Dinesh Karthik was sent at the end

India beat Bangladesh by four wickets in a last-ball finish to lift the Nihadas Trophy 2018. Dinesh Karthik was on the strike when India required five runs off the last ball, and the Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batsman went for a huge, successful six as India pulled themselves out from the jaws of defeat.

However, a surprise step made by the team management was criticised when Vijay Shankar was sent in to bat ahead of Karthik after Manish Pandey’s wicket fell. To send an inexperienced batsman on the crease when India didn’t have many balls to chase the target, raised eyebrows. However, captain Rohit Sharma later revealed that he knew Karthik, who hit for fours and three sixes, is one of the best batsmen to be sent at the end.

“Very happy for DK. I want one of the experienced campaigners to stay at the end – that’s why I held DK back,” said Rohit speaking after the match to reporters.

An inexperienced Indian side

India won the tournament despite playing a second-string side in the absence of star players like regular captain Virat Kohli, wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni, pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. This goes on to show that India have decent options as back-up for the ODI World Cup to be held in England and Wales next year. The tri-series was also a good opportunity for players like Karthik to prove himself.

Talking about the series, Rohit said: “Great tournament for us. Young bunch of lads – lot of learning, we always knew they had lot of talent; it was just about coming here and executing.”

“This tournament win will give them a lot of confidence going forward whenever they play for India and wherever they play. Everybody who came and got opportunities stepped in, they showed a lot of character and these are high-pressure games and it isn’t easy and we understand that,” he added.