Dinesh Karthik the pivotal wicketkeeperbatter for Team India reassures fans of his physical prowess to thrive in professional cricket for the next three years. However he openly concedes the looming mental challenges on the horizon.
Having hinted at Karthik’s unlikely return to the national side he bid adieu to his IPL career recently. The seasoned cricketer hailing from Tamil Nadu gracefully concluded his IPL journey this season facing the Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator match at the illustrious Narendra Modi Stadium.
Speaking with Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik stated that the Impact Player rule allows him to play longer and that he has never had to worry about his physical health. The 38-year-old explained:
“I think I am physically very much prepared to play for another three years. Especially with the Impact Player rule, it becomes that much easier. Touch wood, I have never missed a game because of an injury through my three decades. I’ve been blessed that way. I was never worried about my body or my fitness.”
“It was all about the mental side of things, whether I’ll be able to push as much in the lead-up to the tournament, whether if I don’t play as many matches, will I be okay with it.”
Dinesh Karthik
When asked what kept him going after a disappointing IPL season last year, Karthik replied that he has always been “extremely motivated.”
“I am internally very, very motivated. Intrinsically, extremely motivated and I’ve lived by the mantra that if you are the best, no one can stop you. I just believed if I get one chance, I should make the most of it. I never cribbed. I was always thinking like I got a chance but I missed it. I got a tournament here, but I probably could have done better in this match. And that kept me going.”
Dinesh Karthik
The right handed batter hasn’t skipped a single IPL season since its inception in 2008. Playing in a total of 257 matches he holds the distinction of being the second most capped player in IPL history sharing this honor with Rohit Sharma closely trailing the legendary MS Dhoni who has played 264 matches.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet” – Dinesh Karthik on his retirement
Karthik went on to say that family gatherings have kept him busy in the midst of his retirement, and he remembers how scared he was before the IPL 2024 match against the Chennai Super Kings. He said:
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. There’s lots happening in the house, there’s a couple of weddings and all so I’ve been pretty busy with that. It’s a tad bit emotional, a tad bit relief. In a way, I was mentally prepared for whenever it had to happen. But I was so much more prepared for 18th May.”
“Once that part of the tournament was crossed, I was extremely elated and very, very happy and grateful. The 22nd came around pretty fast, but overall it was a mixed feeling of relief, emotion and the fact that it has all come to an end.”
Dinesh Karthik
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had another unsuccessful campaign this year.