Dinesh Karthik: All that RCB needed to end finishing over woes

But their bowlers made Bangalore sweat for every single run to take the match till the last over despite opposition captain Shreyas Iyer being aware of the edge that RCB carries. 

Dinesh Karthik's presence itself was pressure on KKR's bowler

Dinesh Karthik came on the field when RCB needed 29 runs in the last four overs after the dismissal of Shahbaz Ahmed, who got out after playing valuable innings of 27 off 20 balls. Dinesh Karthik, who usually comes at number 4 or 5, was kept to finish the match, whereas David Willey and Shahbaz Ahmed got promoted to the upper order. KKR bowlers fought on every ball for wickets as they reduced RCB from 101/5 in the 16th over to 111/7 in the 18th over. 

At this stage, RCB needed 18 off 13 balls with Dinesh Karthik and Harshal Patel on the crease. Venkatesh Iyer came to bowl the penultimate over of the match, conceding 10 runs, leaving 7 runs to be scored for the final over. The wicket-keeper batter gutted to pull the first ball of the final over by Andre Russell into the square leg stand for an enormous six, thereby reducing the margin to 1 run needed off 5 balls. He went for a boundary on the next ball to close the match with a win for RCB with four balls to spare and complete the run-chase.

With early wickets falling for Royal Challengers Bangalore, fans were agitated by the skipper Faf du Plessis' decision of not sending Dinesh Karthik early. But Dinesh Karthik, with his match finishing performance, justified the captain's decision as his presence in the final overs put KKR bowlers under pressure. Dinesh's experience and calm composure on-field forced the captain to compare his presence with MS Dhoni.

"DK's experience helped in the end, cool-calm, runs weren't never really too far away. In a post-match presentation he's probably as cool as MS Dhoni can get in the last five overs," said RCB captain Faf du Plessis.

The perfect finisher RCB ever needed.

RCB, over the years, has struggled with the finisher in their game. The presence of Dinesh Karthik in the team has seemed to resolve this woe of the team. Though he made just 14 off 7 balls, these final runs at the loss of 7 wickets would weigh more than other players' innings. 

Dinesh Karthik has always been a finisher for whichever team he plays and has done this job quite well. His performance in the first two matches displayed him as one of the game's most calm yet dangerous finishers.

He proved his match finisher character in the finals of the Nidahas Trophy played against Bangladesh. He was declared Man of the Match for smashing 29 runs off the final 8 balls while chasing the target of 167. India was in a tough spot than at the loss of five wickets and 34 runs to chase in the final 12 balls. Dinesh Karthik helped India clinch the title with a last-ball six. He came to bat then and scored, rescuing 29 runs to help the team win. Apart from this, he has finished plenty of games from India and his previous franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, to steal the game winner from the opposition.

When asked about his confidence as a finisher by News18, Dinesh Karthik said, "Definitely, that is the role I have been working on. I have been doing it for KKR and also for TN. I am very confident in that role. You can get a lot of runs batting in the top-order when there is Power Play, and the fields are up, and you can go over the top. The skill comes in for a middle-order batsman, especially after 14 overs; what is he do. I have tried to focus on and try to help teams achieve that. I have done with a fair degree of success, and that is why I am confident that if given the opportunity, I will make a difference for the country in the T20 format."

Royal Challengers Bangalore looking at their lapse of having a finisher for their game and Dinesh Karthik not being retained by Kolkata Knight Riders, made a heft purchase of him for INR 5.50 crores in mega-auctions. One of the most crucial picks for the team who builds strong character and team can rely on for being the death over finisher with his mighty bat. 

Stronger than ever

RCB from last year have got a few players that have made the team stable and stronger. From Virat Kohli to Glenn Maxwell and now captain Faf du Plessis. They have a fulfilling bowling attack from Mohammad Siraj to Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga. And now, the inclusion of Dinesh Karthik as the finisher makes this team extremely dangerous and powerful for everyone else in the tournament.

If the combination plays well, who knows, the most awaited moment of RCB lifting their first cup could become a reality this season.