• Sportzyverse
• IPL 2024
• 05/23/2024
• 0 Comments

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stalwart Dinesh Karthik concluded his illustrious Indian Premier League (IPL) career with a defeat in the Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Wednesday. Having hinted earlier that this IPL season would be his last, Karthik received a heartfelt guard of honour from his teammates after the match in Ahmedabad. While Karthik remained silent on the topic, the league’s broadcaster confirmed his retirement with a social media post following the Eliminator contest.

https://x.com/JioCinema/status/1793350941535846420

Karthik, who debuted in the T20 league 16 years ago, is celebrated as one of the finest finishers in this format. Numerous achievements and memorable performances mark his career in the IPL. Following the match, Jio Cinema, IPL’s digital broadcaster, paid tribute to the RCB wicketkeeper-batsman, who leaves a legacy with one title to his name in the league.

The emotional farewell saw Karthik taking off his gloves and acknowledging the fans as RCB players went around the stadium, thanking the spectators for their unwavering support. A particularly touching moment for RCB fans occurred when Virat Kohli embraced Karthik, who appeared to be struggling to hold back his emotions. As Karthik returned to the dressing room, he received a guard of honour from the RCB players, highlighting the respect and admiration he commands among his teammates.

https://x.com/IPL/status/1793362186053841406

DK Draws Curtains to a Long-lived IPL Career

Karthik’s IPL career is impressive, with 4,842 runs in 257 matches, including 22 fifties. His tenure in the league, spanning over 16 years, saw him feature for six franchises: Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders, and RCB. He debuted in the inaugural season in 2008 with Delhi Daredevils and later moved to Punjab in 2011. Over the years, he showcased his skills for various teams, leaving a lasting impact wherever he played.

Also read ‘No point in picking Dinesh Karthik…’ – Yuvraj Singh names India’s wicketkeepers for WC

In the ongoing season, Karthik ended with 326 runs in 15 matches at an average of 36.22 and an impressive strike rate of 187.36. His contributions were vital for RCB, particularly in high-pressure situations where his finishing abilities came to the fore.