In an announcement that marks the end of an era, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik is gearing up for his last outing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the upcoming 2024 season, starting March 22.
The 38-year-old cricketer, who has become a staple in the league since its inception in 2008, will be making a pivotal decision regarding his international career following the conclusion of the T20 league.
Karthik, who is currently with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has an impressive record of skipping only two matches across the 16 seasons of the IPL. "This 2024 edition will be his last IPL. He will decide his international retirement after the IPL," revealed a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), preferring to remain anonymous.
Throughout his IPL journey, Karthik has been a key player for six different teams, showcasing his versatility and experience as one of the league's most seasoned wicket-keeper batters. His IPL career began with the Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) and saw him moving across various teams including Kings XI Punjab, and Mumbai Indians, and notably leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to the playoffs in 2018.
Karthik's significant contributions were not limited to his on-field performance. His return to RCB in 2022 for Rs 5.5 crore saw him playing a crucial role as a finisher, amassing 330 runs in 16 matches at an explosive strike rate, which subsequently earned him a spot in the India squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.
Despite a commendable international career shadowed by the presence of MS Dhoni, Karthik has made notable contributions to Indian cricket, with appearances in all three formats of the game. His international debut came in 2004 against Australia, and since then, he has played 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20Is for India.
As Karthik prepares for his final IPL season, his legacy in the league, with 242 matches, 4516 runs, and numerous vital catches and stumpings, remains unmatched. The cricketing community will be watching closely as he takes the field one last time in the IPL, ahead of his decision on an international retirement that will undoubtedly mark the end of a distinguished career.
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