Dinesh Karthik, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, bid adieu to his cricketing career post his stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2024 season. Transitioning into a coaching role, the 39-year-old has been appointed as the batting coach and mentor for RCB's men's team. Karthik's tenure with RCB, which began in 2015 and culminated with IPL 2024, showcased his prowess with the bat, accumulating 937 runs in 60 matches at an average of 24.65 and a strike rate of 162.95.
His recent IPL season saw him amass 326 runs in 13 innings at an impressive strike rate of 187.35.Expressing his eagerness for the coaching role, Karthik emphasized the importance of technical proficiency, match intelligence, and composure for success in cricket. His coaching journey commenced with the England Lions earlier this year, underlining his commitment to nurturing talent. Joining the likes of head coach Andy Flower and bowling coach Adam Griffith at RCB, Karthik is poised to bring his wealth of experience to the fore in guiding the team's batting unit.
With a cricketing career spanning across various IPL franchises and the Indian national team, Karthik's contributions are notable, with 4842 runs in 257 IPL matches and significant dismissals behind the stumps. Having represented India in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, Karthik leaves a lasting legacy both as a player and now as a mentor for the next generation of cricketers at RCB.