Picture Credit: X/IPL
India’s seasoned wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik finally called curtains to his IPL career after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) exit from the 2024 edition of the tournament. The Faf du Plessis-led side, who entered the knockouts after a close win over Chennai Super Kings, were edged out by the Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator, making their exit from the IPL 2024 and extending their title draught.
However, that match proved to be last for the wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who stood up for the RCB in the 2024 edition. But after retiring from IPL, the 39-year-old revealed the reason behind taking this decision. Although, he accepted that he is physically capable of extending his career for another three years with the Impact Rule, but other factors forced him to take this call.
Speaking with Cricbuzz, Karthik said, "I think I am physically very much prepared to play for another three years. Especially with the Impact Player rule, it becomes that much easier. So in terms of playing the sport, easily I think I could've pushed for another cycle. I don't have too many issues in my life. Touch wood, I have never missed a game because of an injury through my three decades. I've been blessed that way. I was never worried about my body or my fitness.”
“It was all about the mental side of things, whether I'll be able to push as much in the lead-up to the tournament, whether if I don't play as many matches, will I be okay with it. I am a big believer of whatever I look to do. I try to give it 100% commitment and do whatever I can to be the best in that. And I thought from here on for me to play X amount of matches is going to be hard. Mentally pushing myself for so long in terms of doing everything in the lead-up, even if I falter a little bit I wouldn't be... even though from the outside people wouldn't know, but internally I would find it very hard and I would be living with guilt. I don't want that," he added.
Furthermore, with a lot of Indian youngsters stepping up to the occasion and getting a place in the national side, DK also revealed that it would be tough to get a place there and thus called it as “final nail in the coffin.” "Taking all that into account, I thought this is the time [to retire]. And most importantly, the fact that no matter what I do, I cannot play for India again was very evident. So it was the last nail in the coffin," he concluded.
The 39-year-old ended the IPL 2024, amassing 326 runs in 15 matches, and stepping up in the finisher role for the Bengaluru-based franchise.
