Dinesh Karthik On IND vs ENG: Dinesh Karthik compares Team India to a dog after Team India's defeat during IND - ENG
The Indian cricket team’s ongoing tour of England has taken an unexpected turn — not just due to their 5-wicket loss in the first Test at Leeds, but because of a controversial remark made by former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik. In a post-match analysis, Karthik compared Team India’s batting order to a Doberman, a statement that has triggered heated debate across social media and cricketing circles.
Karthik’s 'Doberman' Analogy Draws Mixed Reactions
Speaking on Sky Sports during a discussion panel, Karthik referred to a viral tweet and remarked, “Team India’s batting is like a Doberman. The head (top order) is good, the middle order is okay, but there is no tail.” His comment was aimed at India’s lower-order batsmen, who failed to contribute significantly in both innings of the Test match. The analogy — highlighting that like a Doberman, which typically has no tail, India’s batting tail lacks bite — has drawn sharp reactions. While some fans appreciated Karthik’s blunt assessment, others labeled the comparison as “unparliamentary” and “disrespectful.”
Karthik Raises Questions Post-Match
Following the backlash, Karthik took to Instagram to clarify his views and posed questions directly to cricket fans. In a video message, he said:
"Despite scoring 835 runs and hitting 5 centuries, we lost the match. That’s worrying. Did Bumrah get enough support from the other end? Were there fielding lapses? Why did the tail collapse again? Tell me in the comments — I’ll wait." His questions sparked another round of fan engagement online, with many debating the accountability of India’s bowling and lower-order batting performances.
India's Performance in the 1st Test: Strong Top, Weak Tail
Despite scoring a combined 835 runs in both innings, including five centuries — by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant — India failed to secure a win. In the first innings, India were 453/6, but the last four batsmen could add only 18 runs. In the second innings, India lost six wickets for just 33 runs — exposing the fragility of the lower order. In contrast, England's lower-order resilience was remarkable. Their last five batsmen contributed 189 runs in the first innings, underlining the difference in depth between the two teams.
Controversy Continues
As Team India trails 1-0 in the series, Karthik’s comments — both about the Doberman comparison and his public critique — continue to fuel discussions. With the next Test approaching, attention remains sharply focused not just on the playing XI, but also on how commentators, ex-players, and fans are interpreting the team’s performance and potential. Whether his statement will help inspire introspection or merely add to the noise remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: Dinesh Karthik has reignited a critical debate on India’s lower-order woes.