MI, CSK fans will be really proud to see us perform in IPL playoffs: RCB's Dinesh Karthik

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) prominent batter Dinesh Karthik is gearing for the all-important Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 Eliminator match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 25 (Wednesday). The right-handed batter is hoping to put a smile on their fans’ faces after winning their contest against the new entrants.

The Eliminator match will be played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. RCB, who had beaten table-toppers Gujarat Titans (GT) in their last group stage match of the tournament, did not have fate in their own hands as they were hoping for Mumbai Indians to win their last group stage encounter against the Delhi Capitals to stop the latter from qualifying.

The five-time champions showed some immense grit in their dead rubber and defeated DC in a nail-biting finish, which was closely followed by RCB stars at their team hotel. As soon as Mumbai won their match, the likes of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and their RCB teammates celebrated MI’s victory at the team hotel.

We all felt like what it’s to be fans of RCB: Dinesh Karthik

“We all felt like what it’s to be fans of RCB and the fans of MI. For us, to have that journey and have fun, like Faf (du Plessis) said, that stage is over. Today, we start a new tournament. We have to do well in the next 3 games,” Karthik told RCB ahead of their Eliminator.

“If you have gone through a journey like we had, we won 5 out of the first 7 games. it looked like we will get through to the playoffs, but it became tougher and tougher with every passing match. Still, to fight through it, play the No. 1 team, beat them, and wait for a result to happen our way. So it’s a great tournament, it’s a great emotional roller-coaster. We have come through to the positive side of it, we have come to the playoffs, and it’s a great thing.

“Now it’s another short journey for us, it’s a short trip, we need to be on top of our game. Everybody is very excited after the opportunity that’s been given to us. We should go out there and do the best we can and make sure we put a smile on every RCB fan. Mumbai Indians and CSK fans also will be really proud to see us there,” he added.

Meanwhile, after the IPL 2022 is concluded, Karthik will be seen in action during the five-match T20I series between India and South Africa. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced the squad for the series, with KL Rahul to lead in the absence of Rohit Sharma.