Watch: RCB share video celebrating Dinesh Karthik's career with stories from colleagues
The RCB side took a moment to honor one of their own, Dinesh Karthik, who could have been playing his last IPL season.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL 2024 season ended following their defeat in the Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Wednesday, May 22. The RCB side took a moment to honour one of their own, Dinesh Karthik, who could have been playing his last IPL season.
The Bengaluru-based franchise celebrated the veteran wicketkeeper-batter's illustrious career with stories and tributes from his closest friends and family. RCB's former skipper and Karthik's longtime RCB teammate, Virat Kohli, remembered their first meeting in 2009 and his first impression of the 38-year-old cricketer.
"The first time I met DK we were playing in South Africa in the Champions Trophy 2009. It's the first time I shared a dressing room with him. I found him to be very amusing, hyperactive, and confused. Most of the time he was just moving all over the place, never stopping, that was my first impression of him," Kohli said in a video posted on RCB’s social media handle.
The star batter also revealed that Karthik was a great support to him when he was going through a rough patch in his career in 2022, admiring his honesty and courage.
"We had very good conversations with DK, even when I didn't have a great time in 2022, I was struggling with confidence and he sat with me a couple of times and gave me a very honest explanation from his side - I like his courage and honesty to speak to anyone," he added.
Everything that I have been in my career is all thanks to you: Abhishek Nayar
Karthik's close friend and mentor Abhishek Nayar wished him luck for his future and told him to enjoy his life and be away from cricket for some time.
"For me, everything that I have been in my career is all thanks to you. All I can say is that what you have done or what you have accomplished, I know there will be still something left in your heart of yours. Whatever you have done I have been proud of you and you can be proud of yourself, be happy with your family, and children, and enjoy your mansion in Chennai and enjoy a retired life, no more cricket," Nayar said.
Dipika Pallikal Karthik, Dinesh's wife, shared an insightful perspective on her husband's mindset which motivates her to practice in her career.
"One of the things I have learned from DK and his career is that if he doesn't do well or if he is dropped from the team, I just think it two or three days where he is at a lul and then he is back on his feet thinking about what to do next," she said.
Also read: Dinesh Karthik gets emotional farewell walking off field possibly for one last time
The video celebrated Karthik's career, where he expertly played different roles for various IPL franchises in 17 seasons. This year for RCB, he excelled as a finisher, scoring 326 runs at an impressive average of 36.22 and a blistering strike rate of 187.35.
After RCB's eliminator loss to RR, an emotional Karthik received a guard of honour from teammates as he walked off the field, perhaps for the last time. In a touching moment, Kohli hugged his dear friend as Karthik struggled to hold back his emotions.
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