'Prepared To Play For Three More Years' - Did Dinesh Karthik Hint Of Breaking IPL Retirement?

Dinesh Karthik has been in best form in IPL 2024 [X.com]

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has been in exceptional form during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. However, following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) elimination in the playoffs against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 22, Karthik announced his retirement on the same day.

Despite RCB's disappointing end, Karthik explained on Cricbuzz that his retirement decision wasn't due to physical fitness but rather the mental aspect of the game.

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Here's what he said:

"I think I am physically very much prepared to play for another three years. Especially with the Impact Player rule, it becomes that much easier. Touch wood, I have never missed a game because of an injury through my three decades. I've been blessed that way. I was never worried about my body or my fitness." 

"It was all about the mental side of things, whether I'll be able to push as much in the lead-up to the tournament, whether if I don't play as many matches, will I be okay with it," he added.

In IPL 2024, Dinesh Karthik hammered 326 runs in 15 matches at an average of 36.22 and a strike rate of 187.36, including two fifties.

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