Ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who failed to win an IPL trophy in 17 editions of the cash-rich league, appointed cricketer-turned-commentator Dinesh Karthi as the batting coach and mentor on Monday (July 1).
“Welcome our keeper in every sense, Dinesh Karthik, back into RCB in an all-new avatar. DK will be the batting coach and mentor of the RCB men’s team,” RCB posted on ‘X’, formerly Twitter.
Welcome our keeper in every sense, ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????, back into RCB in an all new avatar. DK will be the ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? of RCB Men’s team!You can take the man out of cricket but not cricket out of the man! Shower him with all the… pic.twitter.com/Cw5IcjhI0v
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) July 1, 2024
Describing this as an exciting opportunity, Karthik stated: “Coaching at a professional level is incredibly exciting for me and is something I am 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 to not only refine their method but also to develop the keen match awareness needed to excel under pressure.
Our new ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? loves RCB as much as our 12th Man Army loves him! ❤️He has a special message and an even more special promise for fans ahead of his new innings with us! ????#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/1E27Qwbatt
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) July 1, 2024
The cricketer, who is also into commentary, had a spectacular last season for RCB where he played the role of a finisher and scored 326 runs at an average of 36.22 with a massive strike-rate of 187.36.
Dinesh Karthik IPL record
Overall, the wicketkeeper-batter played 257 matches in IPL representing five franchises—Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab and RCB.
Dinesh Karthik India record
Playing for India, Karthik scored 1,752 runs and struck nine half-centuries in 94 ODI matches.
In 26 Tests, Karthik has 1,025 runs to his name, which includes a century against Bangladesh.
In 60 T20Is, he has scored 686 runs at an average of 26.38 with a 142-plus strike-rate.
First Published: Jul 01 2024 | 12:04 PM IST