"My badluck that I had to be with Kuldeep Yadav.."- Dinesh Karthik
Updated - 09 Apr 2024, 03:28 PM
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Dinesh Karthik has opened up about his tough relationship with Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Karthik, who is set to retire after IPL 2024, revealed that he had some bitter conversations with Kuldeep Yadav during his stint as KKR skipper in the IPL 2019 season.
Dinesh Karthik is a part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2024. The wicketkeeper-batsman has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket post the tournament. Karthik has been part of RCB since the 2022 season.
While Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has miserably struggled in IPL 2024, Karthik came up with impressive performances in two games. RCB has lost 4 games out of 5 in IPL 2024 and takes the second-last spot in the points table.
Also Read: No Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma in Dinesh Karthik's Most Valuable Player in the World
There were some tough conversations with Kuldeep Yadav- Dinesh Karthik
During a chat with Ravichandran Ashwin on the latter’s YouTube channel, Dinesh Karthik unfurled on his bitter relationship with Kuldeep Yadav during his stint as KKR skipper. In the 2018 season, Dinesh Karthik was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders and made the captain.
Kuldeep Yadav played for KKR in the same season and hunted 17 scalps in 16 games at 8.14 economy. However, he struggled in the next 2019 season, picking just 4 wickets across 9 games. As a result, Dinesh Karthik had some sour conversations with the left-arm spinner amid his poor show.
"Leading a franchise is altogether a different job. There are many other cultures, and you will find it challenging to deal with other individuals. You can be very honest with them. As a leader, you will lose out on certain friendships."
"During my time as KKR captain, Kuldeep (Yadav) was not doing as well as he is right now. There were tough conversations with him, and I don't think he would have appreciated me at that stage. I had to be tough with him," Karthik said.
It was a hard time for Kuldeep Yadav- Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik, who parted ways with KKR after the 2021 season, believes it would have been a hard time for Kuldeep Yadav but it made him a better player today.
"It was a hard time for Kuldeep. I think those tough times have made him a better bowler today. My bad luck is that I had to be a part of that bad phase in his life. I hope he understands what I did. I do not want him to appreciate it and be ok with it. You have to make decisions for the team and there was nothing personal," the wicketkeeper-batsman further added.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav has become the most crucial spinner for Team India in ODIs and T20Is. He also played in the ICC ODI World Cup and Asia Cup last year. The left-arm spinner is part of Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024. He grabbed 3 wickets across the first two games. However, he was benched in the last three games as a precautionary measure.
