Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik showcased his brilliance for the Paarl Royals in the ongoing SA20 during their clash against MI Cape Town on Wednesday, January 15, at Boland Park in Paarl. While his contributions with the bat have been modest, Karthik’s exceptional skills behind the stumps continue to make an impact for his team.
Karthik, who is the first Indian to play in SA20, demonstrated his value in the game with a spectacular catch that dismissed opener Azmatullah Omarzai. At 39, Karthik proved age is just a number with his agility and commitment. Omarzai attempted to flick a short-length delivery from Dayyaan Galiem to the on-side, but the ball nipped away, catching a thick edge. As the ball deflected sharply, it seemed likely to evade any fielders.
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However, Karthik had other plans. Diving full length to his right, he stretched out his right hand to grab the ball mid-air. Although it popped out as he hit the ground, he showed remarkable presence of mind to secure it against his chest, completing a stunning catch. The effort not only thrilled the crowd but also provided a crucial breakthrough for the Royals.
Is it a 🦅? Is it a ✈️? It’s DK 🤯
Dinesh Karthik’s stunning catch gives #PaarlRoyals their 1st wicket!
Keep watching the #SA20 LIVE on Disney + Hotstar, Star Sports 2 & Sports18 2!#PRvMICT pic.twitter.com/3QilKUKi7r
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) January 15, 2025
While Karthik’s batting performance was subdued—scoring 10 runs off six balls with one boundary—his teammates stepped up. The star of the innings was 18-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who smashed an unbeaten 83 off 52 balls. His knock, featuring eight boundaries and three sixes, helped Paarl Royals chase down a target of 159 with six wickets in hand.
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Skipper David Miller praised his team’s efforts, highlighting the importance of adapting tactics during the game. “Restricting them to 158 was a great effort, and our spinners did an excellent job. In T20s, momentum can shift quickly, so finishing strong is key. Two home wins put us in a great position, and I’m thrilled with the support from our fans,” David Miller said.
The Royals’ second victory in SA20 2025 has bolstered their campaign, with Karthik’s gloves and Pretorius’ bat driving the team to success.
