July 1st 2024.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, but it seems he won't be leaving the sport entirely just yet. In an exciting turn of events, Karthik has been appointed as the batting coach and mentor for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team. This news was shared by RCB on their social media platform, where they warmly welcomed Karthik back into the fold.
In their post, RCB referred to Karthik as their "keeper in every sense," implying that he will not only be coaching the players, but also providing them with guidance and support in various aspects of the game. The team also affectionately called him "DK," and urged their fans to shower him with love and support as he takes on this new role within the franchise.
Karthik himself expressed his excitement and passion for coaching at a professional level. He stated that he hopes to use his extensive experience as a player to contribute to the development of the team and bring added value. He also emphasized the importance of not just technical proficiency, but also match intelligence and composure in achieving success in cricket. As the new batting coach and mentor, Karthik hopes to help the players refine their techniques and develop a keen understanding of the game, especially under pressure.
For Karthik, this appointment also means that he can continue his association with RCB, a franchise that has been going from strength to strength. In the previous season, Karthik played an important role as a finisher for the team, scoring 326 runs at a staggering average of 36.22 and a strike rate of 187.36. He received an emotional farewell after RCB lost in the Eliminator round to the Rajasthan Royals.
Throughout his career, Karthik has played for five different IPL franchises, including the Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, and now RCB. In a total of 257 IPL matches, he has scored 4,842 runs at an average of 26.32. He has also represented India in 94 ODI matches, scoring 1,752 runs and hitting nine half-centuries. In Tests and T20Is, he has 1,025 and 686 runs respectively to his name.
RCB Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, spoke highly of Karthik's appointment, stating that his longevity and track record as a player demonstrate his skill and dedication. He believes that Karthik will bring the same qualities and commitment to his new role as a coach. Bobat also emphasized the value of Karthik's experiences in both international cricket and the IPL, and expressed confidence that the players will benefit greatly from his support.
RCB has been a top-performing team in the IPL for several years, but they are yet to win the coveted title. With the addition of Karthik as their batting coach and mentor, they will surely be looking to change that and make this season their best one yet.
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