IPL 2022: Dinesh Karthik is picking length better than youngsters – Ravi Shastri

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has showered praise on Dinesh Karthik, who is batting in the form of his life in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

DK is batting like a dream and he has done a fabulous job for Royal Challengers Bangalore as a finisher.

The right-hander scored his best knock of the season when he smashed an unbeaten knock of 66 runs off just 34 balls against Delhi Capitals. The veteran batter has amassed 210 runs in seven matches at an average of 210 and a blistering strike rate of 205.88 in IPL 2022.

Shastri lauded Dinesh Karthik’s ability to pick the length early. DK is moving well in the crease and he is making use of the depth of the crease as a finisher.

Shastri added that the experienced batsman is anticipating well what the bowlers are trying to do and thus he is one step ahead of the bowlers. Karthik has all the experience under his belt and he has definitely reinvented himself in the ongoing season.

As Karthik is scoring consistently, there have been talks of him making a return to India’s T20I team for the World Cup in Australia.

“He is doing what he loves to do. The positions he is getting into… if you see the way he is batting, he is literally picking his spot. And he’s getting into great positions to play the shots. He is moving early. He is anticipating what the bowler is doing and what he is doing extremely well this year is that the anticipation is coming out to be dead right 99 percent of the times. That makes a difference. You are outsmarting the bowler when you are one step ahead of him,” Shastri said on the Byju’s Cricket Live Show.

Shastri feels Karthik has clarity and the right thought process, which is making him click in the death overs for RCB. DK has been striking the ball cleanly and he is batting at the top of his game.

“The clarity, the thought process is very good and positive and it’s making all the difference in the world. He has all the experience in the world. He has been around for long. He is fit and what’s great to see that the hunger is still there. He is playing for a new franchise and the responsibility has been given to him clear cut. He knows his job. One thing I must say is that at his age, he picks up length better than most players younger to him, especially the short ball. He is having a ball. An absolute ball of a time,” mentioned the former India all-rounder.

The Faf du Plessis-led team will next lock horns against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday.