It is often said that cricket is not a game for ‘ifs and buts’. However, in hindsight there are a few mistakes that change the course of the match and decide its result. In the third over of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 final, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were handed a golden opportunity to dismiss in-form Faf du Plessis early but Dinesh Karthik faltered and the Proteas made them pay for it.
Du Plessis was batting on just two runs from four deliveries when he lost his balance on the front foot off Shakib Al Hasan’s delivery. Karthik had enough time to whip the bails off and provide KKR a much-needed breakthrough in the powerplay overs. The inside edge went down the leg side but Karthik could not get his gloves on it in time and missed a golden chance.
The opener played the supporting role when Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa were hitting the big shots. In the second half of the innings, he dropped the anchor role and did the bulk of scoring. He stayed at the crease till the last ball and scored 86 runs from 59 deliveries including seven fours and three sixes.
Had Karthik been successful in stumping Du Plessis, CSK’s middle-order may have been exposed early resulting in a lower target to chase in the final.
Given the role of finisher, Karthik was unimpressive with the bat as well scoring just nine runs from seven deliveries. Usually, Karthik is athletic behind the stumps and barely misses any chances but this time his mistake may have cost KKR the final.
