Dinesh Karthik, the seasoned Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, etched his name in the annals of IPL history on May 9th, as he became only the second Indian cricketer to amass 900 runs for the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise. At 38, Karthik’s stellar performance in the ongoing IPL 2024 has seen him rack up 912 runs across 57 matches for RCB, surpassing the previous record held by Rahul Dravid.
This achievement places him in elite company, with only Virat Kohli boasting over 1000 runs for the team. During the recent IPL 2024 match against the Punjab Kings, Karthik, batting at No. 6, required just five runs to surpass Dravid’s milestone. He achieved this feat in style, launching a six off the final ball of the 18th over bowled by Arshdeep Singh. Karthik’s brief but impactful innings saw him amass 18 runs off seven deliveries, including two sixes and a boundary.
While RCB has seen six batters cross the 1000-run mark in its 17-year history, most of these high achievers have been overseas players. Ab de Villiers, the former South African captain, tops the list with 4491 runs in 156 matches, followed by the explosive Chris Gayle with 3163 runs in 85 games.
Dinesh Karthik has been in sublime form in IPL 2024
Faf du Plessis, the current skipper of RCB, has contributed 1559 runs in 42 matches, while Glenn Maxwell has amassed 1250 runs in 50 IPL outings for the team. The legendary Jacques Kallis also left his mark during his stint with RCB.
However, Karthik’s achievement stands out as a testament to his consistency and longevity in the IPL, particularly considering his role as a wicketkeeper-batsman, which often demands a delicate balance between batting responsibilities and the demands of the game behind the stumps. His milestone not only reflects his success but also adds to the rich tapestry of records within the IPL franchise cricket.
As the IPL continues to evolve and produce new stars, Dinesh Karthik’s name will undoubtedly remain etched in the memories of cricket fans, serving as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers and a source of pride for Indian cricket enthusiasts.
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