‘Physically, I could easily have pushed for another three years’ - Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik, who retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the aftermath of the 2024 season, has revealed that he is physically still in top shape to play another cycle of IPL cricket, but admitted that he took a conscious decision to retire because he was unsure if he’d be able to cope mentally, due to the IPL being an extremely intense competition.

Karthik, 38, was one of the best players in the 2022-24 cycle, with him having two extraordinary seasons as a finisher, first in IPL 2022 and then recently in IPL 2024. In both campaigns, the veteran smashed over 300 runs at a strike rate more than 180, operating exclusively as a finisher.

However, speaking for the first time post retirement, Karthik said in an interview with Cricbuzz that he wasn’t sure if he would be able to pull through mentally.

“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. So in terms of playing the sport, easily I think I could've pushed for another cycle,” Karthik told Cricbuzz.

“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. I am a big believer of whatever I look to do, I try to give it 100% commitment and do whatever I can to be the best in that. And I thought from hereon for me to play X amount of matches is going to be hard.

“Mentally pushing myself for so long in terms of doing everything in the lead-up, even if I falter a little bit I wouldn't be... even though from the outside people wouldn't know, but internally I would find it very hard and I would be living with guilt. I don't want that.

“At the end of the day, it is a professional sport and people are paying you and they expect a certain performance and that comes with responsibilities. I want to live up to those responsibilities internally to all the benchmarks that I have set. When I thought about that, I said, 'No I don't think I'll be doing that.' Add to the fact that I have a little bit of a young family, so spending time with them [is important].”

Despite his age, the 38-year-old would unquestionably have gone for big bucks in the next mega auction due to both his form and the nicheness of his role. 

But Karthik revealed that he retired at the end of the recently-concluded cycle because he did not wish to end his career mid-cycle and put the franchise that purchased him in a tough spot.

“Those are all small factors, and I think the big one was whether I can do it for the next three years, because even if I go into this cycle and I play one year, I think it is a tad bit unfair on the team because they've picked me at a certain price point. 

“If I don't play the cycle or I walk into the tournament knowing that I won't finish the cycle, then it is a little bit unfair on the team because they could have used that resource on a player they know would be there for all three seasons. 

“Taking all that into account, I thought this is the time [to retire]. And most importantly, the fact that no matter what I do, I cannot play for India again was very evident. So it was the last nail in the coffin.”

In the same interview, Karthik revealed that, in the foreseeable future, he sees himself doing two things: coaching and broadcasting. 

“Coaching and broadcasting is what I'm thinking I'll mix in the foreseeable future,” Karthik said.

“It's not as simple as it looks. But I must admit, a few of the players who've played in RCB itself are very keen to come and work with me in Chennai. So, that is a positive. It's very exciting. 

“Though to become a solid coach, there are so many more areas that you need to work on and get better. It's a learning curve. My coaching career is at its infancy. So let's see, for the moment all I can say, it's a pretty exciting start to even know that people are even interested to come and train with you and very much like the tennis format where they want to do the one-on-one.”

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