Veteran batter Dinesh Karthik named RCB batting coach and mentor

Recently, Royal Challengers Bangalore?s director of cricket, Mo Bobat, announced Dinesh Karthik?s retention with RCB as their batting coach and mentor for the upcoming season of IPL 2025.

A sneak peek into the vast career of Dinesh Karthik

The 39-year-old veteran batter and captain of the Tamil Nadu state team has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after his final appearance for the RCB in the Eliminator of IPL 2024. The ex-India wicketkeeper batsman has had immense experience and has mastered the league, with him being one of the seven players who have featured in all editions of the Indian Premier League.

Karthik has played 26 tests, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20Is for the Men in Blue, the debut of which he marked 20 years back in 2004. Since the inaugural season of 2008, the wk-batter has featured for 6 different franchise teams across 17 editions of the IPL. Featuring over 257 games, he has a splendid 4842 runs at a hefty career strike-rate of 135.36 and is often regarded as one of the most key finishers for the sides he has played in.

In his last IPL stint with the Royal Challengers, which he ended in 2024, he scored a great 326 runs at a blistering strike rate of 187.35. RCB?s unit has recognized his immense talent and widespread experience and has made up its mind to retain him as their batting coach and mentor.

DK's enrolment into the coaching manual

Karthik, who was first seen in a coaching role with the English side in January in their preparatory games, will be seen as RCB?s coach alongside head coach Andy Flower, bowling instructor Adam Griffith, and director of cricket Mo Bobat.

Since his retirement, Karthik has always kept the buzz alive, saying that he would prefer to be a full-time coach and broadcaster post his retirement from the game.
When informed about his signing as RCB?s new mentor, he claimed to the press that this is a whole new experience for the veteran.

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"Coaching at a professional level is incredibly exciting for me and is something I'm 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 added value."

DK's perspective on being appointed as RCB's new mentor

From RCB?s point of view, Bobat claimed that he was always thrilling on the field and is expected to be equally impactful as a coach. His dedication, professionalism, and his calibre to bounce back are something worth learning for the youngsters in the RCB camp. The RCB director seemed more than excited to see DK in this whole new avatar, beginning his latest professional chapter.