![Dinesh Karthik](http://images.catchnews.com/upload/2019/04/26/DK_158174_730x419-m.jpg)
Dinesh Karthik played a captain’s knock last night against Rajasthan Royals. His 97 runs came in from just 50 balls. This was Karthik’s highest T20 and Indian Premier League score. The 33-year old wicket-keeper batsman played a shot that left everyone in awe.
The shot was played in the first ball of the 12th over when Jofra Archer pitched a good length ball and Karthik played a pull shot towards deep mid-wicket. Karthik’s shot is also being termed as ‘DK’s Nataraja six’. Karthik was at 22 when he played that wonderful shot and KKR was at 74-3.
DK's Nataraja Six https://t.co/vHJV26sYyv via @ipl
— Cricket Junkie (@JunkieCricket) April 26, 2019
Earlier in the match, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first. Kolkata Knight Riders lost their first wicket in the first over as Varun Aaron striked. Kolkata lost wickets at regular interval except for Dinesh Karthik. He was the lone man standing till the last ball of the innings.
Karthik made an awesome 50-ball 97 and remained unbeaten. His knock helped KKR put on 175 runs on board. Rajasthan Royals started well in the second innings as Ajinkya Rahane was striking the ball well. But Sunil Narine provided KKR with a break through as he dismissed Ajinkya Rahane lbw for 34 off 21. Sanju Samson made 22 off 15 before he was dismissed by Piyush Chawla.
Rajasthan also started losing wickets at regular interval and at one point it was looking easy for the home team KKR. But Riyan Parag and Jofra Archer held the innings for Rajasthan. Parag scored 47 off 31 before he was dismissed hit-wicket. While Archer finished it for the Pink army as Rajasthan won the match by 3 wickets.
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First published: 26 April 2019, 8:02 IST