“Locking himself in Sky box,” Ricky Ponting accuses Dinesh Karthik of supporting England to save his commentary contract

Ricky Ponting was in no mood to take any banter from Karthik.

“Locking himself in Sky box,” Ricky Ponting accuses Dinesh Karthik of supporting England to save his commentary contract

Dinesh Karthik, Ricky Ponting pull each other's leg in commentary box (Image via Twitter)

India’s wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Karthik is enjoying his commentary stint with Sky Sports while commentating on the Ashes. With England and Australia involved, Ricky Ponting is also a part of the panel. While it has been a pleasant series from the Aussie point of view, Karthik tried to give Ponting and Mark Taylor a hard time during the fifth Ashes Test. 

After Australia got off to a really good start (135/0 at the end of Day 4) in the fourth innings while chasing a mammoth 384, Ponting looked happy. Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik was quick to remind Ponting how Australia lost a match and the Ashes series after being in a similar position during one of the tours. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLAf74YaqRw&pp=ygUZZGluZXNoIGthcnRoaWsgY29tbWVudGFyeQ%3D%3D

“The two Australian commentators here going gaga over how well Australia are going. Here is a moment though, that happened a few Ashes ago. Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey had put on a partnership of 127 before this happened. What happened after that, I think it is best Ricky explains. They lost the Test and the Ashes post that,” Karthik said. 

This made Mark Taylor burst into laughter as he accused Dinesh Karthik of turning into an honorary Englishman overnight. Ricky Ponting then explained the reason behind it as he claimed Karthik was saving his contract with the English broadcasters. “Just making sure he has a contract next year, isn’t he? Locking himself in the Sky box. Good work DK,” said Ponting.

Also Read: Explained: Here is why Ben Stokes’ catch of Steve Smith in fifth Ashes Test was illegitimate

Dinesh Karthik’s prediction comes out to be true

england win fifth ashes test
Stuart Broad and Ben Duckett celebrate (Image via England Cricket Twitter)

Ricky Ponting might have won the banter in the commentary box, his team lost on the field and Dinesh Karthik’s prediction came out to be true. Chasing 384, Australia were bundled for 334 in their second inning and England won the game by 49 runs. With this defeat, Australia also lost a chance to win an overseas Ashes series.

While Australian fans and Ponting might complain about the ball change in England’s favor, Australia played some poor cricket, gifting the hosts a win. But England bowlers should also get the credit who turned it around despite Australia getting to the perfect start. Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali shared seven wickets among themselves while Stuart Broad, the main man, got the last two wickets to get a fitting farewell.

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