Karthik excels, mixed bag for TN players
The Hindu
R. Ashwin holds his own, Sai Kishore and Sai Sudharsan draw attention; Varun and Shahrukh disappoint
He was a fireball at the end of an innings. The pocket powerhouse innovated, created and invariably took his team past the finish line.
Given the role of the Finisher by Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dinesh Karthik, superfit at 36, throbbed with life at the death, notching up a whopping 330 runs with whiplash hits at an astonishing strike rate of 183.33.
Given that he arrived at the crease with just around five overs remaining, sometimes even less, it was incredible Karthik scored so many runs. He was the enforcer.
Karthik’s was a stunning success story but it was a mixed bag for Tamil Nadu cricketers in the just-concluded IPL.
On the positive side, R. Ashwin, 12 wickets at ER of 7.50, bowled his off-spin with control for most part for Rajasthan Royals and combined capably with leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
Royals also employed Ashwin’s batting effectively at various slots. A natural timer of the ball, Ashwin produced influential cameos.
Lanky left-arm spinner R. Sai Kishore caught the eye with his high-arm action and accuracy for champion Gujarat Titans.
Asian Games champion Avinash Sable opened his season in the 3000m steeple chase with a silver in the Portland Track Festival, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze event, in Oregon on Saturday. He clocked 8:21.85s. Asian champion Parul Chaudhary took the bronze in the women’s 3000m steeple chase in a season-best 9:31.38s. Former Asian bronze medallist Sanjivani Jadhav struck gold in the women’s 10,000m in 32:22.77s, a time which was a second off her personal best, while Seema was sixth in 32:55.91s.