Dinesh Karthik joins RCB as batting coach and mentor

Bengaluru: Indian cricket ace Dinesh Karthik, former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter, is returning to the franchise as the batting coach and mentor after announcing his retirement from the 2024 IPL. Karthik, who decided to step down following RCB's elimination against Rajasthan Royals, is now set to contribute in a new role to stay connected with the team, NDTV reported.

"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 RCB Men’s team! You can take the man out of cricket but not cricket out of the man," RCB said in a post on X (formerly Twitter.)

Dinesh Karthik, who has established himself in a commentary role with his tactical acumen as a T20 batter, has now joined the coaching staff of the IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Staying loyal to the team that played a key role in his comeback to the Indian squad late in his career, Karthik is set to continue contributing to cricket both on and off the field.

Before ending his IPL career, Dinesh Karthik scored a high of 326 runs in a season at a strike rate of 187, delivering unforgettable finishes for RCB on multiple occasions. Over four seasons with RCB, he played a total of 60 matches and scored 937 runs, becoming the second-highest Indian run-scorer for the franchise after Virat Kohli, who has spent his entire career with the team.