'Its official' - Dinesh Karthik retires, shares heartfelt post to hang professional cricket boots

There have been numerous cricketers who have entered and exited the scene, yet few have achieved the eminence of the legendary Dinesh Karthik. Having commenced his career with Tamil Nadu in 2002, the wicketkeeper-batter steadily progressed, becoming a formidable force, particularly on challenging pitches, making his name as a master in tackling turning tracks with utmost ease.

Remarkably versatile, his prowess transcended formats, making him a cornerstone of the team across all formats. The luminary of the sport featured in a total of 180 matches for India, accumulating 3,463 runs throughout the different dimensions of the game.

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He has enjoyed numerous successful seasons in the IPL, but the 2013 and 2024 campaigns were particularly noteworthy for distinct reasons. In 2013, he surpassed the 500-run milestone for the Mumbai Indians, solidifying his reputation as a formidable batter. In contrast, the 2024 season stood out because, despite being written off due to his age, his remarkable comeback proved invaluable for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Karthik announced his retirement from representative cricket. The veteran stumper-batter shared that, after much contemplation, he had decided to conclude this chapter of his career and embrace new challenges. He extended his gratitude to his family, friends, coaches, and supporters, whose unwavering encouragement and motivation propelled him to succeed at the highest level. The Tamil Nadu-born particularly expressed profound appreciation for his wife, Dipika, who sacrificed her professional sports career for his. The second slide of his post featured a beautifully compiled video montage, showcasing the memorable moments he has cherished with various teams.

Karthik to commentate during T20 World Cup 2024

Interestingly, Karthik's attachment to the sport isn't fading away, as the cricketer-cum-commentator will be putting the microphones on to voice his opinions during the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, the veteran was added to the list of elite commentators' panel ahead of the tournament, and will feature alongside the likes of Ravi Shastri, Ian Bishop, and Dale Steyn to name a few.