News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/6th August 2024
Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik is poised to make history by becoming the first Indian player to participate in South Africa’s T20 league, the SA20. According to ESPNcricinfo, Karthik is set to join the Paarl Royals as an overseas player for the upcoming season, which is slated to commence on January 9.
This move marks Karthik’s return to competitive cricket following his retirement from “representative cricket” in June, just after his 39th birthday. Having represented India in 180 international matches, Karthik’s last appearance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) was with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Though he is no longer an active player, Karthik continues his association with RCB as a mentor and batting coach.
Karthik’s decision to join the SA20 underscores his continued passion for the game, particularly in the T20 format where he has garnered significant respect from peers for his tactical insights and vast experience. Currently, he is covering the Hundred league for Sky Sports and has played in 401 T20 matches throughout his career, including stints with six IPL teams and a notable tenure as captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). His commitment to fitness has been remarkable, with only two missed matches across 17 seasons in the IPL.
Expressing his enthusiasm about this new opportunity, Karthik stated, “I have so many fond memories of playing in and visiting South Africa. When this opportunity came about, I couldn’t say no because of how special it would be to come back to playing competitive cricket and win this incredible competition with the Royals.” He added that despite not having played for the Royals in the IPL, he was always drawn to their franchise environment and is eager to contribute to their success this season.
In accordance with BCCI regulations, only retired Indian players are permitted to participate in overseas T20 leagues. Last year, players like Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, and Yusuf Pathan made their marks in various international leagues, and in previous seasons, Suresh Raina had played in the Abu Dhabi T10 league.
Paarl Royals, having made the Qualifiers in the last SA20 season, will now welcome Karthik’s experience to their squad. The Royals had a challenging finish last season, with five consecutive losses including a notable defeat in the Eliminator against Joburg Super Kings. The team has already retained key players such as captain David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, and Andile Phehlukwayo for the upcoming season.
Kumar Sangakkara, the director of cricket for Paarl Royals, expressed high expectations from Karthik, saying, “Dinesh has served as one of the modern-day greats for India in white-ball cricket, and his wealth of experience will contribute to the making of our side for Season 3.” Sangakkara highlighted Karthik’s impressive approach to the game and his impact across various leagues, making this signing an exciting development for the team.
The Paarl Royals’ squad for the new season also includes Bjorn Fortuin, Mitchell van Buuren, Codi Yusuf, Keith Dudgeon, Nqaba Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Dayyaan Galiem, who has been traded in. With Karthik’s addition, the Royals are set to strengthen their lineup and aim for a successful campaign in the upcoming SA20 season.
