Dinesh Karthik credits Taylor and Latham for New Zealand's win, says- I should have batted a little longer

India’s Dinesh Karthik gave credit to the fourth-wicket pair of Ross Taylor and Tom Latham for helping New Zealand defeat India by six wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Karthik, who had a fruitful return to ODIs with a 47-ball 37 at No. 5 and taking two smart catches in the outfield to remove the Kiwi openers, said that he ought to have carried on and not get out at the stage when India had more than 20 overs to play.

“Full credit to Ross Taylor and Tom Latham, they batted really well and made use of the conditions. They used sweep to good effect,” Karthik admitted after the match here on Sunday. He also added that 280/8 was a very very good score.

“The pitch was very sticky when we batted that it seemed 250 was a great score. It was also turning a bit. But when New Zealand batted, the ball was coming on to the bat and with the dew on, it was very hard on the wrist spinners,” the 32-year-old from Tamil Nadu said. “It was a decent start to my return to ODI cricket. But, from where I come and whatever opportunities are given to me, I should have batted a little longer. Probably, 15-20 runs more would have been a safe total,” he said.

Speaking of the young wrist spinners, Kuldeep Yadav, who went for 64 runs in his 10 overs and took the wicket of Kane Williamson, and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who went wicketless for 51 in his 10 overs, and the impact the defeat could have on them, Karthik said they will come back stronger.

“This match is a great learning curve for them. They will get tougher and this will prepare them for bigger matches. This defeat will make them think and they will stand up to pressure situations if they are faced with a similar situation and defending a similar total. I can only see them coming harder with every single outing.”