• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 06/01/2024
• 0 Comments

Dinesh Karthik officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Saturday, June 1 on his birthday. The seasoned cricketer last played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2024 Eliminator last month and represented India for the final time in the 2022 T20 World Cup group game against Bangladesh.

In a heartfelt retirement note posted on X, Karthik expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming affection, support, and love he has received. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the affection, support and love I have received in the last few days. My deepest gratitude and sincere thanks to all the fans who have made this feeling possible,” Karthik wrote. “Having given it plenty of thought for some time now, I have decided to move on from playing representative cricket. I officially announce my retirement and put my playing days behind me as I square up for the new challenges that lie ahead.”

Following RCB’s loss in the Eliminator, which knocked them out of the IPL, affectionately known as ‘DK’, Karthik received a guard of honour from his teammates, making his retirement imminent. The wicketkeeper-batter later confirmed his decision in an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz.

https://x.com/RCBTweets/status/1794022476831424644

A Brief Look at DK’s Illustrious Career

Karthik’s illustrious career spanned nearly two decades. He played 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20Is for India, debuting in the 50-overs format against England at Lord’s in September 2004. Despite his talent, Karthik’s career often remained in the shadows of MS Dhoni. However, DK reinvented himself as a white-ball finisher, earning a national recall for the 2022 World Cup following a stellar IPL season with RCB.

In his 401 T20 appearances, the birthday boy has amassed 7407 runs, including 34 half-centuries, at a strike-rate of nearly 137. In his 257-game IPL career, he played for teams like KKR, MI, Delhi Daredevils, and Punjab Kings besides RCB, scoring a total of 4842 runs at an average of 26.32.

“I’d like to thank all my coaches, captains, selectors, teammates and members of the support staff who have made this long journey pleasant and enjoyable. Among the millions that play the sport in our country, I consider myself among the lucky few to have had the chance to represent the nation, and luckier still to have earned the goodwill of so many fans and friends,” Karthik added in his retirement note.

https://x.com/DineshKarthik/status/1796888536894873739

He expressed deep gratitude to his parents, who have been his pillars of strength, and to his wife, Dipika, a professional sportsperson who often put her career on hold to support him. “Of course, to all the fans and followers of our great game, a massive thank you! Cricket and cricketers wouldn’t be the same without your support and good wishes,” Karthik concluded.

Also read Why MS Dhoni Is Not Eligible for India Head Coach Job

As DK steps away from the cricket field, he leaves a legacy of perseverance, reinvention, and persistent dedication. The cricket fraternity bids farewell to a player who, despite many challenges, carved out a significant and memorable career.