Prior to that, Dinesh Karthik was hired as a mentor and batting coach by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, his former IPL team.
Dinesh Karthik, a former wicketkeeper batter, signed with Paarl Royals on Tuesday to play in the third SA20 season. He will begin play in the South African league on January 9 and becomes the first Indian cricket player to compete in the league.
After retiring from all forms of cricket in June of this year, Karthik, 39, was hired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru of the Indian Premier League as a mentor and batting coach. Karthik, who has played 180 matches for India in all three formats, said, “I have so many happy memories of playing in and visiting South Africa.
When this opportunity came about, I couldn’t say no because of how special it would be to come back to playing competitive cricket and win this incredible competition with the Royals.”
During the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Karthik’s final game wearing the Indian colors was against Bangladesh.
“Joining the Paarl Royals team, which exudes quality, experience, and potential, makes me very happy. A day earlier, Karthik—who was named the league ambassador—said, “I am really excited to join the group and contribute to what should be an exciting season.”
Kumar Sangakkara, the director of cricket for the Royals, hoped to utilize Karthik’s wealth of T20 experience.
“Dinesh’s vast experience will help shape our team. He is one of the modern era’s greatest white-ball cricket players for India.
Because of his approach to the game and his ability to have an impact, Sangakkara has consistently shown himself to be a valuable asset to the teams he has represented across leagues.
Karthik will play with international players at the Royals, including Joe Root, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kwena Maphaka, and captain David Miller.
