Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik criticised England skipper Ben Stokes for not giving the World Take a look at Championship (WTC) the significance it deserves. Stokes has beforehand expressed confusion over the WTC factors system and voiced frustration over the stringent penalties for sluggish over charges.
Regardless of three WTC cycles to date, England are but to succeed in a closing. Since taking on as captain in 2022, Stokes has overseen one full cycle (2023–25), the place England completed fifth regardless of taking part in an intensive 22 matches over two years. Whereas Karthik praised Stokes for revitalising England’s Take a look at aspect following a troublesome section in 2021, he additionally instructed that the all-rounder’s obvious disregard for the WTC comes throughout as an excuse for underperformance.
“All they (England) have achieved within the final couple of years is put together for The Ashes. We, in India, worth the WTC lots. Ben Stokes, for some unusual motive, doesn’t perceive the desk itself. I do not know if that could be a little bit of an excuse,” Dinesh Karthik mentioned on Cricbuzz.
India have sufficient to degree the collection: Karthik
Karthik additionally expressed confidence in India’s place, stating that they’ve sufficient runs on the board to degree the collection. He added that the pitch has not eased up considerably. England face the problem of chasing a 374-run goal within the fifth Take a look at at The Oval to seal the collection and face Australia, who at present sit atop the WTC standings with a 100% win, later this yr.
“Oh, 100% (On India having sufficient on the board). I used to be satisfied India wanted to set 280-300 on this wicket. It seems like that (the pitch has eased out) due to the way in which they batted. Tomorrow, we’ll see one or two kick-ups. I really feel there’s sufficient on this pitch to work with,” Karthik added.
“I do know India has a really sturdy probability strolling into Day 4. I genuinely consider, with the assault and pitch being the way in which it’s, it is vitally a lot inside India’s sight to win this Take a look at match,” he concluded.
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