Karthik hinted that the ongoing IPL 2024 will be his final season.
Karthik has been performing commentary stints during India’s international matches lately. While the wicketkeeper-batter is getting overlooked in the national team after the T20 World Cup 2022, he continues to do well as a finisher in the IPL.
Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) this season, Karthik has scored 90 runs in four innings at an average of 45.00 and a strike rate of over 173.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast with Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, Dinesh Karthik opened up on bidding adieu to the sport and trolled former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi for his multiple retirements.
"You know I have had this conversation with both of you at different points in time during my last stint in the UK on how you decide when to retire; is there something called a niceswon? It is coming to an end. It has come to an end. I did bat well in a couple of games. I felt good, which was very surprising. It is not easy mixing, broadcasting, and playing. I played the DY Patil Tournament and felt abysmal in it.
"Unless you are Shahid Afridi (on retirement), but in most cases, once it's done, it's done. How I look at it is, once you finish, do I regret anything or am I missing anything? I have a couple of regrets. One missed the opportunity to be retained by the Mumbai Indians. I think I missed the opportunity; they were keen on me not playing for the Super Kings because I am from Chennai. They have always bid for me but could never get me. I wish I could turn the clock back and change things," Karthik said.
Dinesh Karthik’s IPL journey includes stints with six different franchises. Starting with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), he later played for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Mumbai Indians, now-defunct Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Over the years, Karthik has missed only two IPL matches, highlighting his unwavering dedication to the league. He has played 247 matches in the IPL so far, amassing 4606 runs at a strike rate of 133.31 with 20 half-centuries.