‘To come and receive such balls first up, it’s hard’ - Dinesh Karthik backs Suryakumar Yadav despite consecutive golden ducks

Veteran India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has backed Suryakumar Yadav despite registering consecutive ducks against Australia in the first two ODIs. The Aussies have got on level terms 1-1 in the ongoing three-match series with a resounding win in Visakhapatnam.

India endured a disastrous start to their innings as a complete batting collapse saw the tourists restrict the former to a paltry 117. Notably, Suryakumar Yadav departed for a golden duck for the second consecutive time in the ODI series as Mitchell Starc got the better of him. Despite Suryakumar's poor run with the bat, Karthik came out in support of the flamboyant India batter stating that it ‘can happen to anybody’.

“Imagine Suryakumar Yadav, I feel for him, two first-balls, I’m sure a lot of people will be saying, ‘Oh, he’s not making use of his opportunities’. It’s not true. To get out first ball means you are out before you’re set. It can happen to anybody,” Karthik told Cricbuzz.

“He (Mitchell Starc) is arguably the best white-ball bowler in the world right now. To come and receive such balls first up, it’s hard. You put anybody there, more often than not, they will get out first ball. We need to cut some slack for batters who get out to quality left-armers," he added.

The talismanic right-hander has been exceptional in the T20Is, however, he has been unable to replicate his form in the One-Day format. Moreover, in 22 ODIs, the Mumbai-born batter has an underwhelming average of 25.47 with 433 runs and only two fifties under his belt.

Team India look to clinch series

As the action shifts to Chennai for the third and final ODI, the Men in Blue will look to forget the horror show in Visakhapatnam. Furthermore, the side will aim to put up better performances both with the ball and bat in order to clinch the series.

The third ODI match will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, March 22. A victory in the series decider will see the winners claim bragging rights ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup.