Ashes 2023: Dinesh Karthik's dig at Mark Taylor and Ricky Ponting adds laughter to tournament's finale

Chasing 384 runs in the fourth innings at the Oval was always going to be a difficult task but the Australia openers managed to give the visiting team a brilliant start as they now have an upper hand to win the match on Day 5 and most importantly win Ashes 2023. David Warner, who faced a lot of criticism for his batting, managed to hit 58* runs while Usman Khawaja ended the day on 69*. Australia now need 220 runs to win (at the time of publishing) and even though it’s not going to be a cakewalk, the team will be back to get the job done and win their first series on English soil in 22 years.

Meanwhile, Australian greats in the form of Ricky Ponting and Mark Taylor seemed confident of their victory in the commentary box and that’s when Dinesh Karthik reminded them of the horrors of 2009. In that match, Australia were cruising for victory but one run-out changed the complexion of the game as the Ricky Ponting-led side lost the match and even the series. Thus, Karthik in a way reminded them not to be overconfident despite being the favourites.

“The two Australian commentators here going gaga over how well Australia are going. Here is a moment though, that happened a few Ashes ago. Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey had put on a partnership of 127 before this happened. What happened after that, I think it is best Ricky explains. They lost the Test and the Ashes post that,” said Karthik in the commentary box.

Dinesh Karthik has become an honorary Englishman overnight: Mark Taylor

The banter was very well taken by both former cricketers as Mark Taylor hilariously called Karthik an honourary Englishman while Ricky Ponting mentioned that the cricketer is saying these things in order to secure a Sky Sports contract next year.

“Gee have a bit of that, there you go. Dinesh Karthik's become an honorary Englishman overnight hasn't he?” said Taylor. “Just making sure he has a contract next year, isn't he? Locking himself in the Sky box. Good work DK,” Ponting then said.