I believed I could hit a six: Karthik reveals why he denied single to Krunal Pandya

Days after India’s 2-1 series loss, Karthik revealed the reason why had he sent back Pandya and denied the single.

India’s encounter with New Zealand in the final T20I on Sunday didn’t go as per the plan. The hosts needed 16 runs in the final over; Dinesh Karthik not only refused a single to the big-hitting Krunal off the third ball but also sparked controversy.

Days after India’s 2-1 series loss, Karthik revealed the reason why had he sent back Pandya and denied the single.

“I think Krunal and I batted really well from that situation (145/6). We were able to bring the match down to a place where the bowlers were under pressure. We backed ourselves to do the job. And at that stage (after refusing the single), I genuinely believed that I could hit a six,” Karthik said.

Both Krunal and Karthik shared an unbeaten 63-run stand off 28 balls but it was not enough to save the series. India lost the game by four runs and series 1-2.

“Some days you are able to hit a boundary, some days the bowler does a good job. And there, you have to give credit to Tim Southee for the way he executed those yorkers under pressure. One mistake there and I am sure we would have taken him down,” said Karthik.

Asked if the team management had a word with him on not taking that single, Karthik said, “They were all aware of the situation and knew we both did the best we could. On that day, we were not good enough. But the support staff, as it has been around for a long time, understood it (our game plan).”