Paarl Royals Sign Dinesh Karthik for SA20 Season 3
Paarl Royals have announced the signing of former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik for the third season of the SA20 league. The franchise confirmed the news on Tuesday, marking Karthik as the first Indian cricketer to join the SA20.
Karthik, who retired from all forms of cricket in June, will bring his extensive experience to the Royals. The 39-year-old had a distinguished international career, including notable contributions to India's victories in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2007 and the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2013. He has played 180 international matches, securing 172 dismissals as a wicketkeeper.
In T20 cricket, Karthik has amassed 7,407 runs in 401 matches, including his stints in the IPL, with an impressive strike rate of 136.96. His last competitive appearance was during this year's IPL, where he played a key role for Royal Challengers Bangalore, scoring 326 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 187.36.
Notably, Karthik’s first major international success came in South Africa, where he helped India clinch the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007. His return to South Africa with the Paarl Royals is seen as a significant boost for the team.
Kumar Sangakkara, the Royals’ director of cricket, expressed enthusiasm about Karthik's addition to the squad. "Dinesh has been one of the modern-day greats in white-ball cricket for India. His extensive experience and impactful play will be invaluable to our team for Season 3. He has consistently proven his worth in various leagues, and we are excited to welcome him to the Paarl Royals", Sangakkara said.
Karthik himself is eager to return to competitive cricket. "I have many fond memories of playing in South Africa. When the opportunity to join the Royals came up, I couldn't pass it up. The chance to compete again and help win the SA20 with the Royals is incredibly special to me," Karthik commented. "Although I never played for the Royals in the IPL, the franchise always appealed to me. I am thrilled to be joining a team with so much experience and potential, and I look forward to contributing to an exciting season".
With Karthik on board, the Paarl Royals are poised for a strong performance in the upcoming season. The squad already includes key players such as captain David Miller, Joe Root, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin, Andile Phehlukwayo, Mitchell van Buuren, and others.
