'We even contemplated that' - Faf du Plessis considered retiring to speed-up Dinesh Karthik's arrival

Dinesh Karthik is truly in staggering form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 and is earning praises from different corners. On Sunday (May 8), Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers became victims of Karthik’s brilliance as the dasher put up a big-hitting show in the end overs. With the help of one four and four sixes, the 36-year-old scored an unbeaten 30 off just eight deliveries as Royal Challengers Bangalore posted 192/3 in their allotted 20 overs.

His efforts turned out to be fruitful as RCB walked away with an emphatic 67-run triumph. Following the conclusion of the game, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis lavished massive praises on Karthik for playing yet another blinder. Such has been the wicketkeeper’s brilliance this season that Du Plessis even considered getting retired out to fast-track the dasher’s arrival in the middle. The former South African skipper admitted the same in the post-match conversation.

We want to get Dinesh Karthik in and bat as long as possible: Faf du Plessis

“If he (Dinesh Karthik) is hitting sixes like that, we want to get him in and bat as long as possible. He’s just so clear. To be honest, I was actually trying to get out because I was so tired, to get DK in. We were even contemplating – myself ‘retiring out’. And then, we lost that wicket. DK is in such good form. It was a tricky wicket. A lot of guys, their first few balls, they struggled,” he stated.

It must be noted that Du Plessis himself enjoyed a terrific outing as he brought up a fine half-century on a tricky surface. The swashbuckling opener scored 73 off just 50 deliveries and walked back unbeaten. In the bowling department, Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was the standout performer as he recorded his maiden five-wicket haul in the IPL.

Meanwhile, this was RCB’s seventh win in 12 games and victories in the remaining two matches would see them qualify for the IPL 2022 playoffs. Hence, Karthik, Du Plessis and others would like to extend their sensational run.