Dinesh Karthik Appointed as RCB’s Batting Coach and Mentor

Dinesh Karthik, the former wicketkeeper-batter, has been appointed as the batting coach and mentor for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) men’s team. Karthik, who is 39 years old, retired from all forms of representative cricket at the end of the IPL 2024 season.

Karthik was a part of the RCB squad until his retirement in 2024. He joined the team during the IPL 2022 mega auction and played with them for three seasons. He also had a brief stint with RCB in 2015. In his final IPL season, Karthik scored 326 runs in 13 innings with an impressive strike rate of 187.35. Over his IPL career with RCB, he played 60 matches, scoring 937 runs at an average of 24.65 and a strike rate of 162.95. His run tally is the second-highest for an Indian player in RCB, only behind Virat Kohli. Additionally, he took 36 catches and made nine stumpings during his time with the team.

In a press release, Karthik expressed his excitement about his new role, stating, “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.”

He added, “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. It’s also great that I can continue my association with RCB as the franchise continues to move from strength to strength.”

Karthik has some coaching experience, having recently joined the England Lions coaching staff during their tour of India in January earlier this year. He assisted the team for the first nine days of the tour. At RCB, he will work alongside head coach Andy Flower, bowling coach Adam Griffith, and director of cricket Mo Bobat.

Mo Bobat praised Karthik’s addition to the coaching team, saying, “DK is an excellent addition to our coaching group. He was thrilling to watch on the field, and I’m sure he will be just as impactful as a coach. His longevity and track record as a player speaks volumes about his skill and dedication. I know he will bring that same quality and commitment to this new professional chapter.”

Karthik is one of only seven players to have participated in every IPL season since its inception in 2008. Throughout his IPL career, he played for six different teams: Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders, and RCB. In total, he played 257 matches, scoring 4842 runs with an average of 26.31 and a strike rate of 135.36, including 22 fifties. As a wicketkeeper, he ranks second in overall dismissals (174), just behind MS Dhoni (190).