The IPL team announced on Monday (July 1) that Dinesh Karthik, a former wicketkeeper for both India and the RCB, will take on the role of mentor and batting coach. With the end of the 2024 Indian Premier League, the 39-year-old announced his retirement from all aspects of the game.
Karthik participated in every IPL season till his retirement and was a member of the Indian team that won the first-ever T20 World Cup in 2007. He has played with RCB on two separate occasions, with the most recent one from 2022–2024 turning out to be the more fruitful.
He was selected for the Indian team for the T20 World Cup in Australia as a result of his outstanding performance as a finisher in the 2022 season. Karthik finished on a high note earlier this year, hitting over 300 runs at an incredible strike rate of 187.36, after having a lackluster season in 2023.
Karthik expressed his desire to become a coach in order to give back to the game. “I believe I’ll combine coaching and broadcasting in the near future. It’s not as easy as it appears. However, I have to acknowledge that some of the players who were part of the RCB are eager to join me in Chennai. That’s a good thing, then.
“Coaching at a professional level is incredibly exciting for me and is something I’m truly passionate about as a new chapter in my life,” Karthik stated in response to the announcement of his appointment. My wide range of playing experiences should be able to provide value and aid in the group’s progress.
“I think that match intelligence and poise, in addition to technical skill, are crucial for success in cricket. I am excited to work as a coach and mentor with our hitting group, assisting them in honing their technique as well as developing the acute match awareness necessary to perform well under duress. Additionally, it’s fantastic that I can stay involved with RCB while the team is getting stronger.
Mo Bobat, the director of cricket at RCB, stated his happiness with the signing and his optimism about Karthik’s potential to inculcate his ideals and traits in the team’s current group of players.
“DK is a great asset to our coaching staff. On the field, he was exciting to watch, and as a coach, I’m confident he’ll have an even greater influence. His playing career and longevity are testaments to his talent and commitment. I have no doubt that he will approach this next phase of his career with the same dedication and excellence.
DK is a tremendous addition to RCB because of his expertise in both international cricket and the IPL. Without a doubt, his professional assistance will be extremely beneficial to our athletes. As a player, DK showed that he had an outstanding mentality under duress and a genuine desire to improve. I’m excited for him to impart those same traits and principles on our players—especially on our hitters. As someone who understands what it takes to play for RCB and our particular supporters, it’s fantastic for us that we can keep DK involved. We have exciting days ahead of us,” Bobat remarked.
Read More: Was Suryakumar Yadav’s Catch Legit? South African fans raise questions
