IPL 6: "Relieved to be on the same side as Gayle"- Murali Kartik

Murali Kartik

Murali Kartik, whose spell of 4-0-24-1 for Royal Challengers Bangalore proved instrumental in their first home win against Mumbai Indians last night, is relieved that he doesn’t have to face the Gaylestorm now.

The left-arm spinner was bought by RCB in this year’s auction. He played for Sourav Ganguly captained Pune Warriors India last season. The 35-year-old veteran spinner was happy to take Ponting’s wicket when the MI captain was looking to go all the way last night.

Expressing his relief to be on the same side as Gayle, Kartik said, “I’ve been bowling to him right since my India A days, in 1998. Chris was a big unit then and he’s become bigger now. I’ve bowled a bit to him at the international level as well; I remember bowling to him in an ODI during the powerplay. It was a daunting prospect bowling to him then. In the IPL I’ve been fortunate to have him in my team most of the time, first with KKR and now with RCB. He can hit me for a million sixes in the nets but in a match you’re happy to give the ball to someone else when he’s batting.”