RCB player hints at retirement after the loss against CSK in IPL 2024 opener

Dinesh Karthik made an impact with the bat in his very first game for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) this year against CSK. He scored an unbeaten 38 off 26 balls and added a 95-run stand for the sixth wicket with Anuj Rawat to take his side to 173/6v after 20 overs.

The total turned out to be not big enough for CSK as they chased it down with seven balls to spare. During the partnership for RCB, Anuj Rawat fell short of his fifty by two runs but not before they helped RCB reserrect. RCB’s batting innings was cut short by Mustafizur Rahman’s four-wicket spell. He picked up 4/29 on his CSK debut after cramping in the ODI series against Bangladesh and had to be stretched out in the third ODI on March 18.

Racchin Ravindra top-scored with 37 for CSK in the chase. However, the consistent contributions from the Super Kings batters meant that it was a complete team effort that resulted in a win. Ajinnkya Rahane scored 27 while Daryl Mitchell on his CSK debut scored 22. Shivam Dube (34*) and Ravindra Jadeja (25*)’s unbeaten 66-run stand took CSK home with overs to spare.

It was RCB’s fourth loss in five season openers in the IPL and overall it was their 21st loss to Chennai Super Kings. They also have not lost 8 matches at the Chepauk since the inception of the IPL in 2008. Interestingly, they have not won at the Chepauk in the last 15 years.

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Dinesh Karthik during the mid-innings break after RCB’s batting effort spoke to Star Sports about the total and the wicket. In that conversation, he hinted that this might well be his last IPL season.

Karthik was asked if this might be his final match at the Chepauk in the IPL. He replied saying that the venue might host one of the playoff games of IPL 2024 and if RCB does not qualify for the playoffs then it was indeed his last match at the venue.

“That’s a great question. I genuinely wish it’s not, because a couple of matches of the Playoffs could be here. If I come back for that, that could be the last. Otherwise, I think it could be,” said Karthik.

Happy That Game 1 Gone in Positive Way For Me Personally: RCB’s Dinesh Karthik

He said that he was happy with his performance in the first game and that it was difficult for him to juggle between commentary and playing cricket.

“Extremely challenging. Doing a bit of commentary and practising cricket in between Test matches and in between the time that you get has been a lot of hardwork. I am happy that game 1 has gone in a positive way for me personally and it feels good to score some runs,” said Karthik.

Ruturaj Gaikwad on his first game as captain for Chennai Super Kings impressed one and all with his field placements and bowling changes. He always had the support from MS Dhoni behind the stumps.

“Total control I would say, right from the start (apart) from 2-3 overs. Would’ve loved 10-15 runs less but I think they played really well towards the end. I feel that was a big turning point to get Maxwell and Faf out. We got three quick wickets and it helped us control the next overs, that was the real turning point. I’ve always enjoyed it (captaincy), never felt it as an additional pressure. I had experience on how to handle it, never felt any pressure, obviously had Mahi (MS Dhoni) bhai as well” said Gaikwad in the post-match presentation.

RCB takes on Punjab Kings in their next match on March 25 while CSK next takes on the Gujarat Titans on March 26.

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