Dinesh Karthik IPL 2024:
During the thrilling IPL 2024 game between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 11, Dinesh Karthik (DK), while batting, received laudatory words from Rohit Sharma who was fielding at slip next to Ishan Kishan. Rohit remarked, 'Well done DK, aiming for the World Cup, aren't we...'
Karthik chuckled and continued his batting, putting up a staggering 53-run innings off just 23 balls. His invaluable performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) signified an alarm for other keeper-batsmen like Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson, especially before the T20 World Cup.
DK's transformative gameplay in IPL 2024 reaffirms that despite his age of 38, he remains a significant challenge for other wicket-keepers. Taking his age out of the equation, his current form is proof positive of his remaining firepower in the T20 format.
The jesting prophecy by Rohit Sharma may not have been serious at the moment, but Karthik has indeed propelled himself into contention for the T20 World Cup 2024.
On April 15th against SRH, Karthik played a masterclass innings of 83 runs off just 35 balls, showcasing all the quintessential elements of a T20 batsman or a finisher. Hitting 5 boundaries and heaving 7 sky-high sixes, he kept a striking rate of 237.14. In a display of supreme fitness, he even managed a colossal 108-meter six off world-class bowler Pat Cummins.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium echoed with fans waving 'The Real Thala' signboards in support of Karthik, likening him to the renowned MS Dhoni. It's clear from this fanfare that Karthik's stock value has significantly risen among cricket enthusiasts.
The English commentary panel was astound to see someone who had turned to commentary blast bowlers all around the park. It's noteworthy that Karthik has been seen behind the mic during cricket's off-seasons.
This IPL season, Karthik is playing for RCB, which has disappointingly fizzled out as a team but Karthik himself has been sensational. To date, he has amassed an impressive 226 runs in just 7 matches, boasting an average of 75.33 and a staggering strike rate of 205.45.
He mesmerized viewers with his third-man edges against MI, and now with his switch-hit cum reverse sweeps against SRH, he's carved up what are possibly the biggest highlights of this IPL season.
The turning point in DK's cricketing life during IPL 2022:
Back in 2021, Dinesh Karthik ventured into cricket commentary post the 2019 World Cup, leading to speculations that his cricketing days were over. But things took a U-turn during the IPL 2022 auctions where RCB picked him up for INR 5.50 crores. He proved his worth by scoring 330 runs in 16 matches with an exemplary average of 55 and a striking rate of 183.33, a performance that led to his return to the T20 World Cup squad in 2022.
Dinesh Karthik's cricket career at a glance:
26 Tests, 1025 runs, avg. 25.00, 57 catches, 6 stumpings 94 ODIs, 1752 runs, avg. 30.20, 64 catches, 7 stumpings 60 T20Is, 686 runs, avg. 26.38, 30 catches, 8 stumpings 249 IPL, 4742 runs, avg. 26.64, 142 catches, 36 stumpings
