As Royal Challengers Bengaluru got knocked out of the IPL 2024 Eliminator, it would probably mean the end for Dinesh Karthik’s cricket career. Karthik hinted he might have played his last Indian Premier League match after RCB lost the IPL 2024 Eliminator to Rajasthan on Wednesday. But there is no official announcement of retirement from the player yet.

However, Karthik took off his gloves and acknowledged the applause from the crowd after the heartbreaking defeat in the playoffs match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

DK on his retirement plan

Dinesh Karthik, the seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman, had previously mentioned about the retirement from his cricketing career after the IPL 2024 season. Although he hasn’t officially announced his retirement, his demeanour during the Eliminator suggested otherwise.

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Meanwhile, Jio Cinema has already thanked Dinesh Karthik about the memories and shared a special poster on his IPL retirement.

An emotional response from crowd

As Karthik walked off the field amidst thunderous applause from the crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, emotions ran high among fans and spectators. Moreover, one of the greatest finishers of IPL history, Dinesh Karthik also was seen receiving a Guard of Honour from his teammates.

Reflections on Karthik’s Career

Amid the IPL 2024 Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals, Dinesh Karthik etched his name in the annals of IPL history by becoming the second-most capped player in the league, alongside Rohit Sharma.

Early years

Dinesh Karthik’s IPL journey began with the inaugural season 2008 when he donned the Delhi Daredevils jersey. His early years laid the foundation for a remarkable career in the league.

He started his IPL career with Delhi Capitals and played for them from IPL 2008 to 2010. He moved to Punjab Kings for a year and represented Mumbai Indians in IPL 2012 and 2013. Karthik returned to Delhi for a year in 2014. He had a one-year stint with RCB in 2015. Karthik was part of Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016 and 2017. He was part of Kolkata Knight Riders from IPL 2018 to 2021. The wicketkeeper-batsman led KKR from IPL 2018 to the middle of 2020. He was replaced by Eoin Morgan

One Last Time

Ahead of the 2022 edition of the league, Dinesh Karthik was released by KKR and was available for the IPL Mega Auction. He was bought by RCB for INR 5.5 crore. In the IPL 2022 mega-auction, Karthik returned to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp, marking his second stint with the franchise. His role as a finisher proved instrumental in RCB’s campaign.

In IPL 2024

Karthik played 15 matches in IPL 2024, scoring 326 runs at an average of 36.22. He struck at 187.36, pulling off the role of the finisher to perfection. He notched two half-centuries, hitting 27 fours and 22 maximums. With the glove, he took four catches and effected one stumping. Karthik played some memorable knocks during the campaign, but his best came against Sunrisers Hyderabad when he smashed 83 off 35 balls, albeit in a losing cause. In his last match, Karthik scored 11 off 13 deliveries as RCB posted 172 on board.

Karthik played 257 IPL matches, notching 4842 runs and remaining unbeaten 50 times, which is almost once every five innings. His average in the tournament has been a modest 26.32, but his strike rate has been fairly impressive at 135.36. He has scored 22 half-centuries, with the highest score of 97*. He scored 466 fours and 161 sixes, taking 145 catches and making 37 stump outs. His consistency and adaptability have earned him a revered status in the league. Karthik finished in the top 10 run-getters list in the history of the IPL.

He is the league’s second best wicketkeeper behind MS Dhoni with 174 dismissals – 145 catches, 37 stumpings. Dhoni heads with 190 dismissals – 148 catches, 42 stumpings.

Karthik formerly played for Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Lions and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. He also captained Kolkata Knight Riders between 2018 and 2020.

Dinesh Karthik’s Overall Stats

Dinesh Karthik’s Performance for Each Team

Most runs from No.4 or below in an IPL season
579 – Rishabh Pant (DC, 2018)
567 – Riyan Parag (RR, 2024)
538 – Rohit Sharma (MI, 2013)
513 – Glenn Maxwell (RCB, 2021)
498 – Dinesh Karthik (KKR, 2018)

Most ducks in the IPL
18 – Dinesh Karthik
18 – Glenn Maxwell
17 – Rohit Sharma
16 – Piyush Chawla
16 – Sunil Narine

In the annals of the Indian Premier League (IPL), certain moments stand out as epitomes of excellence and sheer brilliance. One unforgettable moment unfolded on 14th May 2016 during a pulsating clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Lions at Bangalore’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This encounter witnessed the rise of a new record as batting maestros Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers orchestrated a monumental partnership, etching their names in the annals of T20 cricket history.

Kohli and de Villiers Unleashed

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, stalwarts in their own right, had been pillars of strength for the Bangalore-based franchise over the years. Their synergy on the field had often left cricket enthusiasts in awe, and on this particular day, they were poised to script another chapter of greatness.

Expectations were high as RCB took on Gujarat Lions, but none could anticipate the spectacle that was about to unfold. Batting first, RCB faced an early setback with Chris Gayle’s dismissal. However, this paved the way for Kohli and de Villiers to take center stage.

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The Record-Breaking Partnership

With a steely resolve and unwavering determination, Kohli and de Villiers embarked on a batting masterclass that would reverberate throughout the cricketing world. Leasing his trademark flair, De Villiers wasted no time finding his rhythm, peppering the boundary with authoritative strokes.

As the innings progressed, the duo unleashed an onslaught on the Gujarat Lions’ bowling attack, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for domination. De Villiers’ assault on the bowlers was relentless, while Kohli played the perfect foil, rotating the strike and providing ample support.

Milestone Moments:

The 16th over witnessed de Villiers’ swift ascent to a half-century, achieved in just 25 deliveries. Not content with mere milestones, he proceeded to decimate the opposition, reaching his century in 43 balls, punctuated by a ferocious assault on Praveen Kumar.

Meanwhile, Kohli was orchestrating his symphony of destruction. With a blend of finesse and power, he unleashed an onslaught that left the Gujarat Lions reeling. The 18th and 19th overs proved particularly punishing, with Kohli dispatching the ball to all corners of the ground.

Record-Breaking Partnership

The crescendo of their partnership reached its zenith in the final over as Kohli bludgeoned his way to a breathtaking century, his third of the season, in just 53 deliveries. The duo’s partnership, a staggering 229 runs, propelled RCB to a mammoth total of 248 runs, setting a new record for the highest T20 stand for the second wicket and the most significant stand for all T20s.