Dinesh Karthik to become first Indian player in SA20, signs with Paarl Royals

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik is set to make history by becoming the first Indian player to feature in the SA20 league. Karthik, who retired from Indian cricket in June on his 39th birthday, has signed with Paarl Royals as an overseas player for the upcoming season starting January 9.

Batter. Keeper. Finisher. 🇮🇳

Welcome to the #RoyalsFamily, @DineshKarthik 🔥 pic.twitter.com/f7bdcVFCRP

— Paarl Royals (@paarlroyals) August 6, 2024

Karthik’s Career Highlights:

• Extensive T20 Experience: With over 400 T20 matches under his belt and more than 7,000 runs, Karthik brings a wealth of experience to the Paarl Royals. He has played for six IPL teams and has a notable track record of fitness and consistency, missing only two matches across 17 IPL seasons.
• Role with RCB: In his recent career, Karthik played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2024 and now serves as a mentor and batting coach for the franchise. He is also active in broadcasting, currently covering The Hundred for Sky Sports.

BCCI Regulations:

• Overseas League Participation: According to BCCI regulations, only retired Indian players are allowed to participate in overseas T20 leagues. Recent examples include Ambati Rayudu in the CPL, Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan in the ILT20, and Suresh Raina in the Abu Dhabi T10.

Paarl Royals’ Strategy:

• Team Retentions: The Paarl Royals have retained key players like captain David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, and Andile Phehlukwayo for the new season. Despite a strong start in the last SA20 edition, the Royals faced five consecutive losses, including a significant defeat in the Eliminator against Joburg Super Kings.

Key Details:

As the new SA20 season approaches, all eyes will be on Dinesh Karthik as he embarks on this new chapter in his career with Paarl Royals.