IPL 2018 | Dinesh Karthik is a nice guy and will do well for KKR, says Vinay Kumar

SportsCafe Desk
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In-form batsman Dinesh Karthik is all set to lead the new-look Kolkata Knight Riders team in IPL 2018 after Gautam Gambhir left, and his Ranji teammate Vinay Kumar has lauded the player's leadership skills. Kumar also added that the youngsters in the KKR dugout would bring more energy on the field.

India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik is the talk of the town at present after his quickfire 29 off just 8 balls, which included the match-winning six off the final ball of the match, won India the Nidahas Trophy final. Karthik had always been a bit-part player up until now, as has always been regarded as the ideal replacement for the World Cup-winning MS Dhoni, when he decided to hang up his boots, but has failed to break into the side.

The two wicket-keepers, however, are set to go head-to-head against each other in the upcoming 2018 Indian Premier League, where Dhoni will return to lead the Chennai Super Kings franchise as Karthik will be leading the Kolkata Knight Riders after they chose to let Gautam Gambhir leave.

Tamil Nadu pacer, Vinay Kumar, who was picked by the KKR franchise and is a teammate of Karthik at the state level, has backed his fellow statesman to come through as captain of a young team.

“He did not lead many matches for Tamil Nadu does not mean he’s not a good leader. He’s a very good leader, hopefully, he will do well. We have many seniors, have to help each other,” 

“He’s really a good guy. I’ve played most of my cricket with him or against him. The way he played for India in the final was amazing,” he said referring to his eight ball 29 not out to win the final of the Tri-series T20I tournament in Sri Lanka. “From nowhere he took the game and finished the game. He’s a very nice guy and will definitely do well for KKR. I look forward, it’s all about play as a team,” Kumar said in an interview to PTI.

Kumar has also backed the U-19 youngsters like Shivam Mavi, Shubman Gill and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, who forced KKR to break the bank at the mega-auction in January. He sounded confident about their abilities and has the belief that they would bring energy and vitality to the dressing room.

“They have not played any IPL matches does not mean they are not good. Everybody has to perform well. Youngsters will bring in more energy on the field. They are good enough, that’s where they are here,”

“It’s very important to share your knowledge with them. Whatever I’ve learnt I want to make sure that these guys are benefited, and in a right frame of mind to deliver. I will give them the right space to do well,” said the Karnataka seamer, who has scalped 103 wickets in 103 IPL matches at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 20.

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