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Indian cricket’s overwhelming story of an ‘underdog’ performer finally concludes with the ever-smiling and jubilant Dinesh Karthik ending his Indian Premier League (IPL) career with a heart-breaking defeat to Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator. Karthik had already made his plans for his swansong IPL season as the 38-year-old received a guard of honour from his RCB teammates after the match.
Though Karthik hasn’t put any curtains on his International front, the Indian management has likely moved on from the Tamil Nadu cricketer considering his exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad. He has been the defining performer since he joined the team in 2022.
Dinesh Karthik has played 257 matches in the cash-rich league while amassing 4842 runs aided by 22 half-centuries. Also, he is the second most successful keeper in IPL history with 174 dismissals, bettered only by MS Dhoni. This season too Karthik unleased his range of death-overs hitting with the 2013 Champions Trophy winner striking at a rate of 187.36, which is the fourth best in the ongoing season.
Dinesh Karthik - Career Stats, Highlights & More
257 matches: Dinesh Karthik has appeared in 257 games in the IPL representing six teams in 16 long careers. His longevity in the league speaks as he holds the second most caps in the tournament after MS Dhoni, who has 264 appearances.
182 dismissals: Apart from his striking potential in the death overs, Karthik has been exponentially great with his wicket-keeping skills also where he has registered 174 scalps including 137 catches and 37 stumpings. Only former CSK skipper MS Dhoni has the better record with 190 dismissals.
4097 runs: Dinesh Karthik has registered the second most runs while batting at No.4 or below in the history of the IPL. It is only bettered by once again MS Dhoni, who has scored 5047 runs.
6 teams: Dinesh Karthik has played for six franchises in the IPL starting with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Lions, and Kolkata Knight Riders. It is the joint most alongside many players and only bettered by Aaron Finch (nine franchises).
2007 England Tour: Dinesh Karthik has just 26 Test matches in his career but the biggest highlight of his career in whites would remain the 2007 England tour. Karthik stepped up emerging as the top-scorer in the series with 263 runs and helped India win a Test series in England after 21 years.
2018 Nidahas Trophy Final: Arguably the greatest death over batting by DK in T20Is. In the final match against Bangladesh, India was reeling at 5/133 after 17.6 overs and the Men in Blue needed a miraculous innings to win the game. This was when Dinesh Karthik arrived and plummeted 29 of just 8 deliveries with a mighty six off the last ball to seal the game from Bangladesh’s hands.
