Dinesh Karthik Returning to Cricket after Retirement will Play T20 League
Former wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Karthik was on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, signed by Paarl Royals for the third season of the SA20, making him the first Indian cricketer to participate in the South African league, starting on January 9.
Dinesh Karthik to Play SA-20 League: This wicket-keeper batsman will play in South Africa's franchise tournament SA T20. He has already signed a contract with the Pearl Royals of the league to play in the 2025 season. Which is the first for an Indian cricketer in an African tournament. However, his retirement from the national team and no contract with the cricket board BCCI has allowed him to play. Pearl Franchise made this announcement on social media today (Tuesday).
Despite playing for Bengaluru, Karthik will play for a different franchise in the Protea League. Pearl IPL team is owned by Rajasthan Royals. SA T20 will start from January 9 next year. Royals Franchise Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara welcomed Karthik to the team saying, "Dinesh is a great player in India's limited overs format and his immense experience will be of great help to our team."
Excited to sign a contract with the team, the former Indian star said, 'I have very good memories in South Africa. When this opportunity came in front of me, I couldn't say no. Because is thrilled to be back in competitive cricket again. It will be a special feeling to play competitive cricket and win this great tournament for the Pearl Royals.”
Karthik, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on his 39th birthday, is already busy with commentary. Currently he is working in the English League The Hundred. In the meantime, he joined the Protea League as a cricketer. Whereas Karthik will have David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andil Phehlukao as teammates in Pearl Royals. In the last round of the tournament, Pearl made a great start and entered the top four, but lost five consecutive matches and left the eliminator.
Dinesh Karthik has played a total of 401 T20 matches so far. He played for six different teams including Bengaluru, Kolkata Knight Riders. He missed only two games in 17 seasons.
BCCI allows only retired Indian players to play in the foreign T20 league. As a result, former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu played for CPL's St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan played for Dubai's IL T20 Dubai Capitals. Apart from this, Suresh Raina played in T-Ten tournament in Dubai.
