4 min learnCould 5, 2026 02:56 PM IST
Slightly below a yr after lifting the IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Dinesh Karthik has admitted the win sits proper on the high of his profession achievements together with successful the 2007 T20 World Cup with India. The 40-year-old additionally mentioned that he ranks this IPL victory barely above the received that he had received with the Mumbai Indians in 2013.
Talking in regards to the emotional weight of the triumph, the 40-year-old mentioned the RCB title “simply pips” the 2013 win due to the lengthy wait and the reference to the followers.
“Just a few days in the past, someone requested me what my spotlight in a cricketing profession was,” Karthik mentioned on the RCB Podcast. “Clearly, the World Cup I used to be a part of is correct up there, however the RCB win was additionally proper up there.”
“An MI win as a participant was a terrific one too, however the RCB win simply pips it due to the truth that we waited 18 years for it. It’s a protracted wait. Everyone knows how passionate the followers are. You virtually really feel a way of craving and giving again while you lastly win,” he added.
For Karthik, the victory was not nearly lifting a trophy, however about delivering for a fanbase that had stayed loyal by almost twenty years of disappointment.
“The primary one was for the followers. They’ve been with us by thick and skinny, consistently supporting us. It was mentioned within the dressing room as effectively – if we cross the road, it’s for the followers. That was a really particular feeling.”
He additionally spoke in regards to the broader journey of the crew by the season, which included disruptions and challenges earlier than they finally discovered their rhythm.
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“We went by so much final yr. The nation itself went by a bit in direction of the again finish of the match, and we needed to reassess, regroup and begin once more in some ways.”
“It’s one factor having momentum in your facet, after which there’s a sudden break, and also you come again. The best way we managed to get previous a few video games and play stable cricket – all groups performed good cricket – the usual of the IPL is unparalleled proper now,” Karthik mentioned.
“To win a match like that’s by no means straightforward. It felt ecstatic, ethereal. I’m very proud to have been a part of that second.”
Karthik mentioned some of the highly effective photos from the evening was seeing Virat Kohli overcome with emotion after lastly successful the title with RCB – a franchise he has represented for greater than a decade.
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“It was nice to see Virat Kohli in tears, the greatness of AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle being there with us, and the likes of Andy Flower and Mo Bobat placing a crew collectively and doing one thing very particular.”
Wanting again on the journey of the teaching group, Karthik additionally praised head coach Andy Flower and him for selecting the position of turning into RCB’s head coach.
“I requested Andy the place this ranks amongst his wins. He mentioned the Ashes win for England was particular, the 2010 World Cup was phenomenal, however the RCB win is correct up there.”
“He had a number of gives, however he selected RCB as a result of he felt this was a problem. And sure, it was a problem. For us to return collectively as a bunch, do what we did within the public sale, and play a sure model of cricket – and make followers really feel proud that they supported RCB – that it was well worth the wait. That feeling is what’s most satisfying,” the previous wicketkeeper-batsman mentioned.