Dinesh Karthik named RCB men’s team batting coach and mentor

(indianexpress) - Dinesh Karthik has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after the IPL 2023

A month after announcing his retirement from all form of cricket, former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik on Monday has joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru as batting coach and mentor.

“Welcome our keeper in every sense, Dinesh Karthik back into RCB in an all new avatar. DK will be the batting coach and mentor of RCB Men’s team,” RCB posted on X.

The wicketkeeper-batter made 257 appearances in IPL, scoring 4,842 runs at an average of 26.32. Karthik played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, and Kings XI Punjab apart from RCB.

“Coaching at a professional level is incredibly exciting for me and is something I’m truly passionate about as a new chapter in my life. Hopefully, the breadth of my experiences as a player can contribute to the development of the group and bring added value,” Karthik said.
 
“I believe that cricket success hinges not only on technical proficiency but also on match intelligence and composure. I am eager to coach and mentor our batting group, helping them to not only refine their method but also to develop the keen match awareness needed to excel under pressure. It’s also great that I can continue my association with RCB as the franchise continues to move from strength to strength,” he added.

Karthik has announced his retirement on his 39th birthday.

“Having given it plenty of thought for sometime now, I have decided to move on from playing competitive cricket. I officially announce my retirement and put my playing days behind me as I square up for the new challenges that lie ahead,” Karthik announced in a social media post.

“I’d like to thank all my coaches, captains, selectors, teammates, and members of the support staff who have made this long journey pleasant and enjoyable. Among the millions that play the sport in our country, I consider among the lucky few to have had the chance to represent the nation,” Karthik added in his statement.

Dinesh Karthik scored 1,792 runs and nine half-centuries in 94 ODI matches. In Tests, Karthik has 1,025 runs to his name, which include a century against Bangladesh, from 42 innings. In T20Is, he scored 686 runs in 60 games.

Karthik represented Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket and won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the T20 competition, twice as captain — in 2006/07 and 2020-21.