Dinesh Karthik, the Kolkata Knight Riders captain, has stated that it is important to show faith and back the youngsters like Shivam Mavi. What Dinesh has reiterated is very crucial, especially in T20 cricket. 

Shivam Mavi, the U-19 speedster, made a fine start to his spell last night versus the Delhi Daredevils in Feroz Shah Kotla, but got smashed by Shreyas Iyer in the final over of the innings for four huge sixes. This proved to be decisive, as it pushed the DD score to 219 and KKR never really recovered to be in the game. They lost it by 55 runs in the end. 

There was a thought that while Sunil Narine, the experienced campaigner, had one over left in his quota and he should have been the one bowling the 20th over instead of the inexperienced Mavi; Dinesh Karthik though has backed his decision. 

He was quoted saying about the issue as, “Look, he is a fast bowler and he is there to do a job, Who else am I going to give it to? It has to be one of the fast bowlers. It is hard to give it to a spinner at that stage because the ground is small. So you back your fast bowler. He’s been someone who has been practising death for us and he has executed it in practice and we need to show faith in him"

"That’s how he will grow as a cricketer. We don’t need to protect him. I think, at this stage, it is important (to show faith in him). Even if he gets hit, it’s a learning experience. If we start protecting him, then he is never going to grow. I think in life if you get hit and (your) confidence is a little low, that’s how you learn as well. I am sure he will learn a lot from this and come back a better bowler in good time.”

Chasing the huge looking 220, KKR got only 164 in their 20 overs.

Dinesh Karthik pointed out to the failure of all departments for the defeat. He said, “I think we did all three departments very poorly, Very disappointed with the result. I think it literally looked like we didn’t turn up for the match and that is very disappointing. “

(Inputs from Wisden India)