Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik said on Sunday that batsman MS Dhoni surpassing him in terms of T20 runs does not ‘fascinate’ him much because records have never driven him in his career. Karthik said he was quite happy to know that he broke the record, but said the only achievement that he has ever cared about is representing India.
MS Dhoni has 7432 runs and has been overtaken by Karthik, but the impressive total reached is 7537 runs during the SA20 tournament. Karthik had announced his retirement from all Indian formats, including the IPL, last year and played for the Paarl Royals in the South African tournament while Dhoni still considers implementing in IPL and would be seen in action as CSK on the commencement of the newest season on March 22, 2025
“I’ve always played wanting to play for India”, said Karthik in a selective media interaction on Sunday. “I think that the most significant thing would be to play for the country and do well, and that came when I had to finally hang up my boots from the IPL and cricket in India six months ago. I’ve never been somebody who has fascinated himself with records, mainly because I don’t have many great records, I think, but you know, it’s really good to know that I overtook Dhoni; it surely won’t be quite some time until he overtakes me back, and that wouldn’t really bother me. I am quite happy for him to, you know, fulfill that record of highest whatever, run-scorer as a wicketkeeper. I don’t even know what that is, but yeah, I didn’t even know that until you told me. Honestly, it’s okay. It’s good to know, but it’s not something that I crave for or want”, he added.
Karthik is the first Indian cricketer to play in the SA20, having batted eight times in eleven matches, with 130 runs at a strike and 121.49.
Elimination from the playoffs against MI Cape Town and SunRisers Eastern Cape were the reasons why the Royals were perceived to be exciting and highly rated not only from the strategic perspective but also because of their dressing room tricks.
It was one of my highlights playing with Joe Root: Karthik
Karthik has an amiable disposition, as his season’s videos of push-up challenges went viral during it. “I think it was one of my highlights playing with Joe Root. I’ve never communicated a lot with him. I’ve always seen him about, said hello or hi. But shoulder to shoulder and being with him in the same dressing room was a brilliant experience. Such a great guy. He’s a legend. He will easily be one of the greatest batters this game has ever seen. But the attitude is warm and welcoming and helps younger players immensely, and is always pulling a practical joke in the dressing room, trying to make the team enjoy themselves. The things he gets up to-for example, after every match, we’d have the push-up competition-and this was all started by him. Just the soul he brings, just his authenticity about the game. It was a pleasure playing with him. It is indeed one of my lengthy experiences, you know, getting to rub shoulders with such a person, a legend, an unassuming guy; it was really laid-back and humble. It was so much fun.”
Karthik will now be seen as the mentor and batting coach of RCB in the upcoming IPL season.
