Following RCB's elimination from the IPL in 2024, Dinesh Karthik declared his retirement. Their season-long playoff run was made possible in large part by the veteran.
Dinesh Karthik, who is regarded as one of the finest finishers in contemporary cricket, left the Indian Premier League following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's 2024 elimination. He played in the Ahmedabad Eliminator against the Rajasthan Royals in his final IPL match.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik disclosed that the mental component of the game had a bigger role in his choice to retire than his level of fitness. "I think I am physically very much prepared to play for another three years. Especially with the Impact Player rule, it becomes that much easier. Touch wood, I have never missed a game because of an injury through my three decades. I've been blessed that way. I was never worried about my body or my fitness," he said.
"It was all about the mental side of things, whether I'll be able to push as much in the lead-up to the tournament, whether if I don't play as many matches, will I be okay with it," he added.
Karthil struggled in the 2023 Indian Premier League, but he recovered this year and played a significant role in RCB's playoff run. "I am internally very, very motivated. Intrinsically, extremely motivated and I've lived by the mantra that if you are the best, no one can stop you. I just believed if I got one chance, I should make the most of it. I never cribbed. I was always thinking like I got a chance but I missed it. I got a tournament here, but I probably could have done better in this match. And that kept me going," he said.
Karthik scored 326 runs at a strike rate of 187.35 in 13 innings during the 2024 Indian Premier League. He also scored two half-centuries throughout the season. He amassed 4842 runs at a strike rate of 135.36 in 257 IPL career appearances, with a best score of 97* and 22 half-centuries.