SA20: Dinesh Karthik looking to achieve 'something special' with Paarl Royals

The 39-year-old had announced his retirement from professional cricket at the end of the 2024 India Premier League (IPL), where played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but said he could not turn down the opportunity when the Royals came knocking.

The wicketkeeper-batter also has fond memories of playing in South Africa after being part of the India squad that won the T20 World Cup trophy in 2008.

SA20 League commissioner Graeme Smith described Karthik's participation as a major coup for the tournament that will help grow the global audience.

Speaking at the Pearl Valley golf estate where the Royals are based, Karthik told reporters: "My experience in South Africa has always been good. It's been a place which has really supported my cricket. I've enjoyed playing here.

"Some of my best memories have come from South Africa, winning the T20 World Cup, being part of something so special and that also started a very big trend in Indian cricket and it's called the IPL today.

"When the offer was there, I thought it was a good team to be a part of. Being part of the IPL for so many years, I haven't been part of the Royals and a lot of my friends have played for this franchise and have only said good things.

"So when the opportunity came up, I was very excited and I also heard great things about the tournament in general, about how competitive it is, how the players do everything possible to get the best out of themselves and the last one, obviously, Paarl as a place.

"But overall, it was a bit of a no-brainer when the offer came from the Royals because it kind of fit in with everything that I was looking for - a competitive tournament, a franchise that I would like to be represented with and, most importantly, the place in itself being so pretty."

Proteas duo David Miller and Lungi Ngidi together with England superstar Joe Root and Karthik will form the backbone of experience to the Royals' outfit that has some of South Africa's most talented cricketers in their squad.

Teenage fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has already made his debut in all three formats for the Proteas while Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewan Marais and Mitchell van Buuren are future stars to look out for at Boland Park this year.

The former India gloveman added: "What I can say is this team is a good blend of experience and some seriously prodigious talent. David Miller and Joe Root have been stalwarts for their countries over a period of time.

"My role is to make sure that I'm there for the tough moments and when the game is on the line that I'm doing something very special to help the team and do whatever is possible to take that load.

"I really wish that this experience and this young and youthful exuberance meet somewhere in the middle and something special is created."

When asked if he could be the catalyst for other Indian players to participate in future SA20 tournaments, Karthik said: "Why not? I think anybody who is done with playing IPL will always look at SA20 because it's the strongest comp, you get the best of players and, most importantly, it's a place which is well supported.

"When you want to come and play cricket, you want people to come and watch. It really adds to the adrenaline and helps get the best out of you."

The Paarl Royals open their SA20 campaign against defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Boland Park on Saturday.

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