'This is the best fanbase I have ever been part of'- Dinesh Karthik shares heartwarming message for RCB fans

Dinesh Karthik has come up with a special message for the Royal Challengers Bangalore fans after their ouster from this year’s IPL following a seven-wicket defeat to the Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad on May 27. Before signing off from the Bangalore camp, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter went on to say that the RCB fanbase was the best he has ever been part of in his Indian Premier League career.

Karthik was the saviour for RCB in the middle order for most of IPL 2022. However, he had an off day during the Qualifier 2 clash against the Rajasthan Royals where he could only manage six runs and also dropped Jos Buttler’s catch during the middle overs just when RCB had created pressure on RR with some tight bowling.

I am really grateful that I have found this franchise and this fanbase: Dinesh Karthik

“I have been part of many teams but this is the best fanbase I have ever been part of because the cheers that I have gotten in the ground, I have never gotten anywhere else. I am really thankful, without fans like you, people like me at this age would not be pushing myself to try and achieve what I am trying to achieve,” said Karthik in a video posted by RCB on their official YouTube handle.

“Thank you so much, you guys mean a lot in my life because it is one thing playing the IPL but when you are able to put a smile on people’s faces, that is the real reason why you play sport. I am really happy, I am really grateful that I have found this franchise and this fanbase who have literally accepted me with open arms”, he added.

The Tamil Nadu cricketer finished his campaign having amassed 330 runs from 16 matches including a half-century and remaining unbeaten on 10 of those occasions. He was roped in by the Bengaluru-based franchise for INR 5.50 crore at the two-day mega auction back in February. This was also Karthik’s second coming to RCB after the 2015 season.