Dinesh Karthik, Kolkata Knight Riders wicketkeeper-batsman and skipper has come out and stated that he was backing himself to finish off the game by taking on the death overs specialist Jasprit Bumrah.

Kolkata Knight Riders were chasing the stiff looking score of 181 against the Mumbai Indians in a crucial encounter of the Indian Premier League season and despite a good platform by their top order, they lost their way. 

It all came down to 37 needed from the last two overs and all eyes were on Dinesh Karthik to step up again like he did in the Nidahas Trophy final recently. But this time, he was against one of the best-limited overs bowlers in the world, Jasprit Bumrah.

Karthik said after the game, “I felt that I could take on Bumrah. I had the belief and I backed myself in the last over, Sometimes it doesn’t go your way but we still got 14 from the over, I know (JP) Duminy dropped me but we still got 14 from the over. Things would have been different had Russell stayed till the end. He got a good ball, so credit to Bumrah. He bowled well.”

KKR eventually lost the game by 13 runs and Karthik couldn't really finish it but the focus went on the change in the batting order at the opening slot. Sunil Narine didn't come out to open, something that KKR beds on and found the forced change uncomforting for them. 

Karthik cleared, Narine wasn't opening thee innings because “He wasn’t feeling well, he went off the field during the 19th over and wasn’t feeling really well.”

When Sunil Narine couldn't do the job, KKR were hoping their other matchwinner Andre Russell steps up but he also failed on the day. Talking about this Karthik said,  “We have a separate role for Russell in the team, at what stages of the game he will bowl. We are pretty clear with that. On this day he bowled well, but there are some days when he goes for boundaries.”