NEW DELHI: Dinesh Karthik, the standout performer for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), may have concluded his final cricket match in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
RCB’s soaring journey, marked by six consecutive victories, came to a screeching halt as they bowed out of the competition in the Eliminator. The dream of a fairytale season was shattered on Wednesday when the Bengaluru-based team faced defeat against Rajasthan Royals by four wickets in a highly anticipated clash between the ‘Royals.’
Emotions ran high at the Narendra Modi Stadium, witnessing the end of the iconic chant “ee sala cup namde” as it failed to resonate in Chennai, the venue for the title match.
In a poignant moment, Dinesh Karthik, removing his gloves, expressed gratitude to the fans who had stood by him throughout the season.
A heartwarming scene unfolded when cricket legend Virat Kohli embraced Karthik, offering support as he fought back tears.
While Karthik has not officially announced his retirement from the IPL, his actions during the tournament have hinted that this season might be his last with RCB.
As Karthik made his way back to the dressing room, RCB players honored him with a guard of honor, marking a poignant moment for the team.
The official IPL Twitter handle shared a touching video capturing the emotions after the match. Karthik played a crucial role for RCB during a challenging season, especially in the death overs. His impactful performances propelled the team to an unprecedented playoff berth.
If this indeed proves to be Karthik’s final IPL season, he will conclude his illustrious career with 4,842 runs in 257 matches, including an impressive tally of 22 fifty-score innings.
Throughout his remarkable 17-year career, Karthik represented six different IPL teams. He debuted with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the inaugural 2008 season, followed by stints with Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders, and RCB.
Finishing the current season with 326 runs in 15 games, Karthik maintained an exceptional strike rate of 187.36 and an average of 36.22.
