May 24th 2024.
Bengaluru: In a heartfelt tribute, Virat Kohli, one of India's top cricketers, expressed his admiration for Dinesh Karthik upon the latter's retirement from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team at the end of the IPL season. Kohli described Karthik, a veteran wicketkeeper-batter, as a wise and honest person who had lifted his spirits during a difficult phase in the 2022 season.
Karthik, who joined RCB in 2022 for his second stint after playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, played his last match for the team on Wednesday when they were eliminated from the playoffs by Rajasthan Royals. Kohli, along with others close to Karthik, shared their tributes in a special video posted by RCB.
Kohli reminisced about the 2022 season when he had a rough patch, averaging only 22.73 runs from 16 matches. He credited Karthik for helping him through that difficult time with his honest and wise advice. Karthik had a knack for understanding things beyond just cricket, which made their conversations on and off the field very interesting.
Kohli also praised Karthik's courage and honesty, mentioning how he always spoke his mind without hesitation. He considered these qualities to be the most special and cherished aspect of their friendship.
Apart from being a great person, Kohli also hailed Karthik as a technically correct and versatile batter. He recalled being in awe of Karthik's batting skills during the 2013 season when he scored 600 runs and batted at the number three position. Kohli was amazed by Karthik's ability to adapt to any role given to him, including becoming a renowned finisher.
As Karthik bid farewell to his IPL career, Kohli wished him all the best for his future endeavors and hoped that he would stay connected to the RCB franchise in some capacity. He acknowledged Karthik's expertise and value to the team and expressed his desire for him to continue contributing to the franchise.
In a lighter note, Kohli also shared his first impression of Karthik when they first met during India's tour of South Africa in 2009. He found Karthik to be a hyperactive and confused person, always moving around and never staying still. However, Kohli also praised Karthik's talent and evolution as a person, stating that he had become wiser and calmer over the years.
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