Dinesh Karthik Makes Historic Comeback: First Indian to Play in SA20

Just over two months after retiring from all forms of cricket, former India wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Karthik is on his way to South Africa to create history. Karthik, making a U-turn, is coming out of retirement and will be packing his bags to fly out to South Africa to participate in the next edition of the SA20. Karthik has signed a contract with Paarl Royals and becomes the first Indian cricketer to participate in the South African T20 league.

"Entering the ground again as a player. This time in Africa," Karthik posted on X, shortly after Paarl Royals made the announcement on their social media. "Batter. Keeper. Finisher. Welcome to the #RoyalsFamily, Dinesh Karthik."

Karthik's announcement comes just a day after he was confirmed as the Brand Ambassador for the SA20 for the third edition, joining South Africa legend AB de Villiers. "I have so many fond memories of playing in and visiting South Africa, and when this opportunity came about, I couldn't say no because of how special it would be to come back to playing competitive cricket and win this incredible competition with the Royals," said Karthik.

"I am delighted to be joining the Paarl Royals team which oozes a lot of experience, quality and potential. I am certainly looking forward to joining the group and contributing to what should be an exciting season."

Karthik, 39, played his last international game for India against Bangladesh during the 2022 T20 World Cup, played his final season in the IPL earlier this year representing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who then signed him up as batting coach and mentor. Karthik, with the vast experience that he has – of playing 257 IPL matches, 26 Tests, 94 ODIs and 60 T20Is for India – is currently serving broadcast and commentary duties at The Hundred in England.

A First For Indian Cricketers

The sight of Indian cricketers playing in overseas franchise league is far and few. Only cricketers who are retired are allowed by the BCCI to take part in franchise cricket outside India, and Karthik, with this move, will join the likes of Ambati Rayudu, who participated in last year's Caribbean Premier League and Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan – playing the ILT20.

"Dinesh has served as one of the modern day greats for India in white ball cricket, and his wealth of experience will contribute to the making of our side for Season 3. He has always proved to be a great asset for the teams he's represented across leagues for the way he approaches the game and the impact he can make, so it's an exciting signing for us and we look forward to having him with the group at Paarl," Kumar Sangakkara, Royals' director of cricket, said.

Karthik’s Comeback

Former wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Karthik was on Tuesday signed by Paarl Royals for the third season of the SA20, making him the first Indian cricketer to participate in the South African league, starting on January 9. Karthik, 39, retired from all forms of cricket in June this year and since then he has been roped in as a mentor-cum-batting coach by IPL side Royal Challengers Bengaluru. "I have so many fond memories of playing in and visiting South Africa, and when this opportunity came about, I couldn't say no because of how special it would be to come back to playing competitive cricket and win this incredible competition with the Royals," said Karthik, who has played 180 matches for India across all three formats.

His last competitive T20 outing was for RCB in the IPL 2024, for whom he made 326 runs in 14 matches at a strike-rate of 187.36.

Karthik's last match in India colours was against Bangladesh during the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022.

A Long-Time Friend

Royals' Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara hoped to tap in the extensive T20 experience of Karthik.

“Dinesh has served as one of the modern-day greats for India in white-ball cricket, and his wealth of experience will contribute to the making of our side.

“He has always proved to be a great asset for the teams he's represented across leagues for the way he approaches the game and the impact he can make,” said Sangakkara.

At the Royals, Karthik will join other international stars like skipper David Miller, Joe Root, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo and Kwena Maphaka.

A Friendship Not Utilized

Royals' Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara admitted knowing Dinesh Karthik very well but refrained from utilizing his friendship to influence the latter signing with the Paarl Royals for the upcoming SA20 season. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter signed with the South African franchise as announced by them through their social media on August 6.

Karthik announced his retirement from professional cricket after the 2024 IPL season on his birthday (June 1). However, the 37-year-old reversed his decision and will be back in action playing competitive cricket in the third SA20 season.

Talking about Karthik's signing Paarl Royals, Sangakkara said on the Paarl Royals social media handle:

He added:

When last seen on the field for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2024, Dinesh Karthik was in sensational form and finished with 326 runs at an average of 36.33 and a strike rate of 187.36 in 15 outings.

He was made RCB's batting coach and mentor a month after announcing his retirement.

A New Beginning

Kumar Sangakkara was delighted to have Dinesh Karthik on board with the Paarl Royals and feels the Indian gloveman would be an ideal fit with the franchise.

Karthik will become the first Indian player to participate in the SA20 league that started in 2023.

Paarl Royals have been among the most consistent sides in the competition without achieving ultimate glory.

The franchise advanced to the playoffs in the first two SA20 seasons but failed to reach the final on both occasions.

A New Chapter

Wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik will become the first Indian to feature in the South African T20 league, SA20, next year. Karthik, who had recently retired from all forms of the game, will come back and turn out for Paarl Royals, the sister franchise of IPL's Rajasthan Royals.

Despite not having fitness issues and enjoying a successful IPL season in 2024, Karthik opted to end his illustrious career after the season. In an exclusive interview after the tournament, he admitted that he could've carried on playing for another IPL cycle but chose not to. He was soon named the batting coach and mentor of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the franchise he played for in two separate stints. He chose to make a comeback for what he described as an opportunity he couldn't say no to.

"I have so many fond memories of playing in and visiting South Africa, and when this opportunity came about, I couldn't say no because of how special it would be to come back to playing competitive cricket and win this incredible competition with the Royals," Karthik said.

Though Karthik has been associated with the IPL since its inception and has played in each of the 17 seasons, he has never represented Rajasthan Royals.

"Even though I didn't have the chance to represent the Royals in the IPL, to me it was always a franchise setup and environment that was very attractive as a player. I am delighted to be joining the Paarl Royals team which oozes a lot of experience, quality and potential. I am certainly looking forward to joining the group and contributing to what should be an exciting season," he added.

"Dinesh has served as one of the modern day greats for India in white-ball cricket, and his wealth of experience will contribute to the making of our side for Season 3," Royals' Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara said. "He has always proved to be a great asset for the teams he's represented across leagues for the way he approaches the game and the impact he can make, so it's an exciting signing for us and we look forward to having him with the group at Paarl."

Karthik joins the David Miller-led side that made the semifinal in the first season (2024) and bowed out of the Eliminator in the second (2024). The third season will be played from January 8 to February 9 in 2025.