Dinesh Karthik, an experienced all-rounder for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League after RCB’s elimination from the tournament in an Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday.
After the game at Narendra Modi Stadium, Karthik’s teammates gave him a guard of honor suggesting that he is retiring from cricket IPL and thus ending a chapter in the career of one of India’s most seasoned keepers.
Although Karthik did not declare his resignation directly after the match, it was made known by Jio Cinema, the broadcaster for the league through a heartfelt message on social media. This post celebrated his 16-year tenure during which he developed into being among some of the best finishers in this league as well as making significant contributions to Indian cartoons as well.
While RCB players acknowledged their fans and took a lap around the stadium before going back to dressing rooms, visibly emotional Karthik removed his gloves and waved at supporters to thank them
Virat Kohli hugged an overwhelmed Dinesh Karthik amid tears streaming down his face. As players aceepted him back to changing rooms via “guard of honour” gesture demonstrated by RCB members present there
RR paid tribute to DK with an Instagram shoutout. RR released a video captioned as follows: “Thank you Dinesh Karthik. Well fought RCB.”
Karthik finishes his IPL career with 4,842 runs in 257 matches including 22 fifties. On top of that, DK started in the very first season of IPL (then known as Delhi Daredevils) and played for six different teams over time; Delhi Daredevils now Delhi Capitals), Kings XI Punjab now Punjab Kings), Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders and RCB.
In this year’s tournament DK bagged 326 runs in fifteen games at an average of 36.22 and a strike rate of 187.36 which goes on to show what an important player he was to his team.
