Former India and RCB wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has been named as the new batting coach and mentor of the IPL franchise, who made the announcement on Monday. After the IPL 2024 concluded, the 39-year-old announced his retirement from all forms of the game.
Karthik was involved in every IPL season till his retirement and was a member of the Indian team that won the first-ever T20 World Cup in 2007. He has played with RCB on two separate occasions, with the most recent one from 2022–2024 turning out to be the more successful.
He was selected for the Indian side for the T20 World Cup in Australia as a result of his outstanding performance as a finisher in the 2022 season. Karthik finished on a strong note earlier this year, hitting over 300 runs at an incredible strike rate of 187.36, after having a poor season in 2023.
In response to the news of his appointment, Karthik said: “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.
“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 not only refine their method but also 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.
Mo Bobat, the Director of Cricket at RCB, expressed his delight with the acquisition and his optimism about Karthik’s potential to inculcate his ideals and traits into the team’s current roster of players.
“DK is an excellent addition to our coaching group. He was thrilling to watch on the field, and I’m sure he will be just as impactful as a coach. His longevity and track record as a player speak volumes about his skill and dedication. I know he will bring that same quality and commitment to this new professional chapter,” he said.
“DK’s experiences across both international cricket and the IPL make him a huge asset to RCB. I have no doubt that our players will benefit hugely from his expert support. As a player, DK demonstrated an elite mindset under pressure and a real drive to keep evolving his game. I’m looking forward to him instilling those same qualities and values into our players, and in particular, our batters. We have exciting times ahead, and it’s great for us that we can retain DK’s involvement as someone who knows what it takes to play for RCB and our special fans,” Bobat added.
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