[WATCH] RCB players line up to give Dinesh Karthik guard of honour in front of fans
Dinesh Karthik is likely to announce his retirement soon.
Dinesh Karthik has dropped a major hint that he might have played his last ever game for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 Eliminator. In his distinguished IPL career that spanned over 17 years, the senior pro has featured for six IPL teams such as Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
It was such an emotional moment for the veteran wicket-keeper batsman and the RCB fans last night when the 38-year-old took off his gloves and then acknowledged the fans for their support following RCB’s exit in the playoffs game in Ahmedabad. The Royals broke RCB’s hearts by acing the run-chase with an over to spare as they won the game by 4 wickets.
Although, Karthik hasn’t officially announced his retirement yet, his final moments with his teammates on the ground gives us a clarity that he might have actually played his last IPL game. In a video clip that has been doing the rounds on social media, RCB players lined up to give Dinesh Karthik a guard of honour as the latter made his way back to the dressing room.
Virat Kohli led the guard of honour for Dinesh Karthik in possible farewell before the team’s trainer and good friend Shanker Basu greeted him off the field. Despite RCB’s heartbreaking exit, fans stayed back to applaud their players for giving it all in the tournament. It was such a bummer that RCB’s journey had to end like this, considering when they rose from the ashes in the latter stages of the season.
Read more: [WATCH] Sourav Ganguly pays respect to Virat Kohli after RCB’s win over DC in IPL 2024
Dinesh Karthik executed finisher role to perfection for RCB
It wasn’t a great outing for him in the Eliminator against RR as he scored 11 off 13 (1 four). However, he carried the role of a finisher to perfection for the franchise. He has amassed 937 runs for the Bengaluru-based franchise at an impressive strike rate of 162.95.
RCB fans absolutely loved his batting as they even came up with “DK, DK” chants on countless occasions, scenes that will forever etch in Karthik’s memory. The veteran will end his illustrious IPL Career with more 4842 runs in 257 appearances for six franchises, laced with 22 half-centuries.
Read more: [WATCH] Pat Cummins names the Indian cricketer whom he admires the most
