After Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) retained wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Karthik for the Indian Premier League 2024, he proved his worth in a match of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023-24. Playing for Tamil Nadu against Punjab, Dinesh Karthik smashed 93 off 82 balls.
In the match, Karthik was the only batter standing to chase a total of 252 set by Punjab at MCA Cricket Ground in Mumbai on Friday. After Karthik’s mettle innings ended, Tamil Nadu batting trembled and bundled out at 175. Punjab won the match by 76 runs.
Earlier, former RCB batter Ab de Villers had expressed his amazement on the retention of Dinesh Karthik by RCB ahead of IPL 2024 Auction. He said that the Indian wicketkeeper had not scored runs in last season and it would be better that they have released him to increase their purse amount.
“I am surprised that Dinesh Karthik was retained. He was not among the runs last season. I think he can play for two more years and is a fantastic cricketer. However, I was expecting RCB to free their purse and go for a young wicket-keeper as there are plenty who can be targeted,” AB de Villiers as quoted by crictoday.
Dinesh Karthik’s comeback after RCB retention
Dinesh Karthik has been in an phenomenal form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. He had guided his team to a victory over Baroda with quickfire knock of 68 off 51 balls on Wednesday.
