Team India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik is gearing up for his final stint in the upcoming 2024 edition of the IPL, post which he will deliberate on his retirement from international cricket, a BCCI source told PTI. This Indian Premier League season is slated to kick off on March 22, with the opening match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore scheduled at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai.
Having participated in every IPL season since its inception in 2008, Karthik boasts an impressive track record, having missed only two matches across 16 seasons. Recognized as one of the most seasoned wicketkeeper-batsmen in the IPL, Karthik has plied his trade for six different franchises throughout the league’s history. His journey began with the Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) in 2008, followed by stints with Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Lions, among others.
Notably, Karthik’s tenure with Kolkata Knight Riders saw him lead the team to the IPL playoffs in 2018, with a fifth-place finish in the 2019 season. His contributions to Royal Challengers Bangalore, for whom he returned in 2022, have been noteworthy, particularly his role as a finisher during the same year.
Karthik’s prowess extends beyond the IPL arena, as evidenced by his international career, which overlapped with that of MS Dhoni. In Test cricket, he accumulated 1025 runs and executed 57 catches and 6 stumpings across 26 matches. Similarly, in ODIs, he notched up 1752 runs and managed 64 catches and 7 stumpings in 94 appearances. With a T20I debut in 2006, Karthik contributed 686 runs, along with 30 catches and 8 stumpings in 60 matches. His multifaceted talents were further highlighted by his recent participation in the DY Patil T20 Cup in Navi Mumbai, underscoring his enduring passion for the game.