Dinesh Karthik, a veteran wicketkeeper-batsman for India and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), will retire after the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. According to a report published on Thursday (March 7), Karthik will conclude his 17-year relationship with the IPL as he nears the end of his career. Serving for the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders over the last 16 years, the player will conclude his IPL career with RCB as they seek their first title.
Karthik, who will be 39 in June, has been doing commentary for India’s international matches despite being down the pecking order. However, he had carved out a reputation as a pitch-hitter and finisher in the IPL, where he was among the best. However, according to Espncricinfo, Karthik’s forthcoming season with RCB will be his last as a player, with a future commentary job planned.
Karthik’s retirement will also be remembered as a watershed moment in IPL history, since he is one of only seven players to have competed in all seven seasons. MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Wriddhiman Saha, and Manish Pandey are the only other players who have appeared in every season of the IPL. With MS Dhoni likely to retire after the upcoming season, the tally might be reduced to five players.
In his 16 seasons in the IPL, he has represented the Daredevils (2008-11), Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings – 2011), Mumbai Indians (2012-13), Gujarat Lions (2016-17), Knight Riders (2018-21), and Royal Challengers. During this time, Karthik scored 4516 runs in 240 matches at an average of 26, including 20 half centuries. With 133 dismissals as a wicketkeeper, he is just second to MS Dhoni on the list, having also stumped 36.
The Chennai-born player had an outstanding 2022 IPL season, which included a return to the Indian side for the T20 World Cup. He made 330 runs in the IPL 2022 and was the league’s best finisher, keeping Rishabh Pant out of the Playing XI for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
