New Delhi: Dinesh Karthik has blasted Tamil Nadu coach Sulakshan Kulkarni over his comments around skipper R Sai Kishore's decision to bat first in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Mumbai.
Tamil Nadu was up against Mumbai in the semi-final of the Ranji Trophy and Tamil Nadu chose to bat in the fixture played at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Bandra Kurla Complex ground in Mumbai. Batting first, Tamil Nadu managed to muster only a total of 146. Mumbai was on the verge of a collapse due to Sai Kishore's prolific spell, but all-rounder Shardul Thakur's century helped them compile 378 runs. Tami Nadu suffered a collapse yet again and they were bundled out on 162 as they lost by an innings and 70 runs.
After the match, coach Sulakshan Kulkarni criticised R Sai Kishore's decision to bat first. "I always speak straightforward — we lost the match at 9’o Clock on day one. Everything was set, we won the toss, as a coach, as a Mumbaikar, I know the conditions well. We should have bowled but the captain had some different instinct," he said during the post-match media interaction.
"Ultimately, he is the boss. I can give my feedback and inputs (as to) what kind of wickets and Mumbai’s mindset also. (From) 106 for 7, I knew before the match that this (Mumbai’s fightback) may happen," added Sulakshan.