|| Indian Correspondent ||

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Dinesh Karthik applauded his team’s youngsters who have given some match-winning IPL performances but they shouldn’t “get carried away” with that and they should do well in upcoming games as well.

While the opener Shubman Gill performed well in both of KKR’s wins against Sunrisers Hyderabad (70 not out) and Rajasthan Royals (47), his U-19 India teammates Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti rip apart Royals’ batting line-up.

The KKR skipper said during the post-match virtual interaction, “Definitely, I think the fact that these young boys are doing well is very good. I don’t think we should get too carried away and, you know, make it a lot about them, just the fact that they’re doing well is very good.”
However, Karthik said that youngsters shouldn’t feel the extra burden in the upcoming games. He also added that they have fabulous cricketers in the squad who will play important roles as well. While Mavi picked up the key wickets of Jos Buttler and in-form Sanju Samson in the game, Nagarkoti too claimed two wickets — Robin Uthappa and Riyan Parag within four deliveries in the chase of 175.

“I’ve been wanting to see them since the time they played the (2018 U-19) World Cup and now it’s just great to see them both on the field...To see these boys out there playing for us, representing our franchise, the fact that we’ve stuck with them and to see them out there makes us so happy. The fact that they’re bowling well and fielding well is a bonus,” Karthik said.

Meanwhile, he also praised their pace spearhead Pat Cummins who made a “massive difference”.