The Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) journey in the IPL 2024 came to an end following their defeat in the Eliminator match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Wednesday, May 22. Despite the disappointment, the team took a heartfelt moment to honor one of their most dedicated players, Dinesh Karthik, who might have played his final IPL season.
In a special tribute, RCB celebrated the veteran wicketkeeper-batter’s illustrious career, sharing stories and heartfelt messages from his closest friends and family. Adding to the tributes, Dinesh Karthik’s close friend and mentor, Abhishek Nayar, extended his best wishes for Karthik’s future, urging him to enjoy life away from cricket.
“For me, everything I have achieved in my career is thanks to you. All I can say is that you should be proud of what you have accomplished. Now, it’s time to be happy with your family, enjoy your life, and your beautiful mansion in Chennai. You deserve a break from cricket,” Abhishek Nayar said.
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Dipika Pallikal Karthik, Dinesh’s wife, offered an insightful perspective on her husband’s resilience and mindset, which also motivates her in her career.
“One thing I have learned from DK is his resilience. If he doesn’t perform well or is dropped from the team, he allows himself only a couple of days to be down before he bounces back, planning his next steps,” she shared.
DK, We love you! ❤
Not often do you find a cricketer who’s loved by everyone around him. DK is one, because he was smart, humble, honest, and gentle! Celebrating @DineshKarthik‘s career with stories from his best friends and family! 🤗#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #WeLoveYouDK pic.twitter.com/fW3bLGMQER
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 24, 2024
The video celebrated Karthik’s remarkable career, during which he adeptly played various roles for different IPL franchises over 17 seasons. This year, for RCB, he excelled as a finisher, scoring 326 runs at an impressive average of 36.22 and a striking rate of 187.35. Following RCB’s elimination by RR, an emotional Karthik received a guard of honour from his teammates as he left the field, perhaps for the last time.
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In a poignant moment, Virat Kohli hugged his dear friend, as Karthik struggled to hold back tears, marking the end of an era for one of the IPL’s most respected players. Karthik’s journey through IPL has been one of dedication, resilience, and memorable performances, leaving a lasting impact on his teammates and fans alike. As he steps away, possibly signalling the end of his IPL career, his contributions to the sport and the camaraderie he shared with his teammates will be fondly remembered.
