Veteran Team India keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has shared the sledging he has faced throughout his career. He hilariously recalled how much star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has sledged him during the IPL matches as well. Notably, Karthik, who retired from IPL after playing against Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator of the 2024 edition, is the 2nd most-capped player in the history of the league. He was also part of the Mumbai Indians’ squad when they won their first title win in 2013 as well.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik recalled: “Every time I played against RCB and Virat Kohli caught my catch, ‘Ben Stokes’ came out of his mouth for sure. But that was a send-off. Hardik Pandya sledged me saying ‘Abhi legspinner aaya, iska thank you hi hai’ [Now a leg spinner will come and it is Thank You time] Then I had to play a couple of shots and then he was like ‘Theek hai, thoda improve hogaya lag raha hai’. [Looks like he’s improved a bit]. That was good.”

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He also recalled Rohit Sharma’s comments, stating, “He’s a good friend. He was also like ‘commentator banke bhi thoda kaam kar raha hai’. [Even after becoming a commentator, he’s working on his game] That was fun. Rohit Sharma this year taunting me… unnecessarily giving me hopes. [laughs].”

When he was asked about the best compliments he has received so far, the talented cricketer named those from Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. He is one of the elite cricketers who will be in the commentary team for the T20 World Cup 2024 as well.

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“There’s been a lot of outpouring of love… One for my cricket – Virat Kohli saying that he’d love me being part of the [RCB] team which was a great compliment. Dhoni said: ‘I’ve really enjoyed your commentary, DK. Very, very good.’ That’s about as big a compliment as you can get from Dhoni I guess,” Dinesh Karthik concluded.