IPL 2020: KKR captain Dinesh Karthik defends ‘world champion’ bowler Pat Cummins

Abu Dhabi: Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) fast bowler Pat Cummins, the most expensive overseas player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), had a forgettable match against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Wednesday (September 23) as he conceded 49 runs in three overs. However, KKR captain Dinesh Karthik defended Cummins and revealed that he got permission to play just two hours before the game in Abu Dhabi as he was in mandatory quarantine.

The Kolkata franchise, in their opening match of IPL 2020, suffered a 49-run defeat to the defending champions. MI scored 195/5 in 20 overs and in reply KKR could manage only 146/9.

Speaking after the match, Karthik said he trusts Cummins to come good and hailed him as a “world champion” bowler.

“It is very unfair to judge him (Cummins) right now. He is just off quarantine, (it is) at 3.30/4.00 PM when he got permission to come and play the match itself. We are just happy to have him and I don't think this is a game where we need to judge him at all,” Karthik said.

“Just the fact that he is a world champion bowler, from whatever I have heard and seen he is one of the best going around in the world. I trust him and I'm sure, he will come good,” he added.

In December 2019, KKR bought Cummins for Rs 15.5 crore at the players’ auction. He beat Ben Stokes’ record (Rs 14.5 crore) to become the costliest foreign player in IPL.