Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik is happy about getting some runs within the IPL opener regardless of getting restricted sport and preparation time going into the event resulting from his commentary commitments. Since the final IPL, the one aggressive cricket Karthik performed was within the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He was on air within the not too long ago concluded India-England Test collection and admitted discovering coaching time in between his commentary duties was powerful. Karthik, who’s taking part in his final IPL, made an unbeaten 38 off 26 balls to assist RCB get well to 173 for six in opposition to CSK on Friday night time. By his personal admission, he was rusty within the center.

“It’s been extremely challenging, doing a bit of commentary and to keep practising cricket between Test matches and in between the time that I get, it’s been a lot of hard work.

“So, I’m completely satisfied that Game 1 has gone positively for me, and it feels good to attain some runs,” Karthik told reporters after the game.

The 38-year-old is hoping that play-offs happen at his home ground in Chennai and he can return to Chepauk to play his last IPL game.

“Time will inform, I suppose. I genuinely want it is not as a result of the final couple of (playoff) video games will probably be right here, so I might be again for that, which may then be my final (right here),” he said when asked if it could be last game in Chennai.

Defending champions CSK was able to chase down 174 comfortably on a good batting track. CSK pacer Mustafizur Rahman produced his best IPL figures of 4-29 to make the difference.

Karthik was all praise for the left-arm pacer from Bangladesh.

“He bowled brilliantly. He confirmed his abilities in all of the three spells,” he reckoned.

“He is bowling loads faster than he usually does and hits the precise lengths. The slower balls got here out properly. It was an excellent pitch. Not the standard sluggish Chepauk turner that we’re visualising in our thoughts.

“The ball skid on a lot more, and it was good for batting, and he (Rahman) bowled well. What makes it tough is that he can bowl at 138/139 (kmph), and then he has a slower one, which is very deceptive. And he bowls it at 121/125 (km/h), which makes it hard to line him up.

“People can see how a lot expertise Anuj has”

For RCB, Anuj Rawat was the top scorer with 48 and his 95-run stand with Karthik allowed the team to post a fighting total.

“I could not be happier for him. He has been part of this staff for 2 years, and folks can see how a lot expertise he has. The ball flies off his bat. He has received nice bat pace and is a powerful boy. He works onerous on the nets,” said Karthik.

“The final two years have not precisely panned out. Last 12 months, he confirmed in direction of the tip how good he’s, however right this moment (Friday), he confirmed what abilities he has received.

“I just wish he keeps continuing this form because he is a key player for us. A left-arm hander through the middle and hits the long ball with a lot of power. So, it’s great to see him do so well,” he added. PTI AYG BS BS

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