RCB vs DC: Dinesh Karthik scripts IPL history by smashing Rahul Dravid's 14-year-old record vs PBKS

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik etched his name in the records of IPL history as he surpassed a historic milestone to become the second Indian batter to amass 900 runs for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the league.

He achieved the remarkable feat during RCB's IPL 2024 clash against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Thursday, May 9. Karthik has been in blistering form in the ongoing IPL 2024, and it took RCB to tally 912 runs in 57 matches for the franchise.

With these numbers, the veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter shattered the 14-year-old record set by former Indian captain Rahul Dravid and became the second Indian batter after Virat Kohli to have the most runs in the IPL for RCB. Dravid, who currently serves as the head coach of the Indian cricket team, previously held the record with 898 runs for RCB in the IPL.

Dinesh Karthik makes IPL history, surpasses Rahul Dravid's historic record

Notably, Kohli has been part of the Bengaluru-based franchise since the start of the IPL in 2008, and he is the leading run-scorer for the RCB with 7897 runs to his name in the 249 matches that he has played so far in the ongoing IPL 2024. He is also the leading run-scorer this season, with over 600 runs.

Meanwhile, with just five runs needed to surpass Dravid's tally, Karthik achieved the milestone in style by smashing a six off the last ball of the 18th over bowled by Arshdeep Singh of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

Batting at No. 6, the 38-year-old RCB star showcased his batting prowess by playing a stunning cameo of 18 runs on seven balls laced with one boundary and two towering sixes against the PBKS in Dharamsala. With this achievement, Karthik joined an elite group of six batters who have surpassed the 1000-run mark for RCB in the IPL in the last 17 years.

Dinesh Karthik joins an elite list of overseas legends

However, this elite list featured five overseas stars, including former South African captain Ab de Villiers, West Indian legend Chris Gayle, former Proteas skipper and current RCB captain Faf du Plessis, former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, and Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.

AB de Villiers amassed 4491 runs in 156 IPL matches for RCB, and Chris Gayle has 3163 runs in 85 games to his name while playing for the Bengaluru-based franchise. Faf du Plessis has so far amassed 1559 runs in 42 matches, while Glenn Maxwell has 1250 runs to his name in 50 matches for the RCB in the IPL. Jacques Kallis has also 1132 runs to his name in 42 IPL matches for RCB.

Notably, RCB crushed PBKS by 60 runs in Dharamshala on Thursday to climb to the 7th spot in the IPL 2024 points table with 10 points from 11 games that they played so far in the tournament. RCB returned to form after a poor start to their campaign, winning back-to-back four games.

Now, the RCB will have to beat Delhi Capitals (DC) on May 12 and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 18 in their remaining games in the ongoing IPL 2024 and hope other results go their way to qualify for the playoffs.