Despite watching their bowlers smashed around the park without mercy, Gujarat Lions stumper Dinesh Karthik heaped praise on Royal Challengers Bangalore duo AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli for their match-winning tons on Saturday.
“I think I was in the best position. I was in a better position than the runner also; I was that close to the batsman. It was mind-boggling. These kind of innings don’t happen often. They are two special players and they really stood up today for the team and did a brilliant job for RCB,” said Karthik, after his side succumbed to a humiliating 144-run loss.
Even Lions’ assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak was awestruck watching the pair in blistering form. “In T20, when two great players like that play an innings where they don’t even give you a chance...we could have batted better you could say, but when you’re chasing 248, people try and go for it and you lose wickets,” he said.
The experienced Karthik admired de Villiers’ hitting, especially the sixes off the back-foot. “Some of the shots played were mind-boggling. They were fantastic! AB was hitting sixes of the back foot. It’s not an easy thing to do,” mentioned Karthik.
Lions have a few days break before taking on Kolkata Knight Riders at Kanpur. “I think after a game like this, it’s good to have a five-day break. You need two days to just feel the game and forget it and then move on,” added Karthik.
Meanwhile, RCB’s Chris Jordan was mesmerised with the fireworks at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. “It’s surreal. Obviously I came halfway through this tournament. Coming into this team of this calibre, I was hoping something like that would happen and I would be able to witness it. Boy! What a performance. They showed class today,” said pacer Jordan.
Following a disastrous IPL debut, England quickie Jordan grabbed a four-wicket haul that rattled the Lions’ middle-order. “I still I have some improvements to make. I need to improve on precision and temperament,” he stated.
