Double Role: Former RCB Player Takes Up Coaching Job In The Hundred

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and current batting coach Dinesh Karthik has accepted to don the same role with the London Spirit Men's team at The Hundred, the franchise announced on December 10 (Wednesday). The wicketkeeper-batter will take over as mentor and batting coach for the upcoming season. 

“What an exciting time to be joining London Spirit! When I heard about the plans and the ambitions of Mo [Bobat], MCC and the Tech Titans, I was really enthusiastic to join. To spend the English summer working at Lord’s is truly a dream come true. It is the ground where I made my debut for India and I played my last Test match – Lord’s is very close to my heart. I can’t wait to see the squad come together and to work with some exceptional cricketers next year," Karthik said on his appointment. 

Director of cricket, Mo Bobat, who holds the same role at RCB, said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome DK to London Spirit. He is a truly original thinker in our game and his vast experience in short-format and franchise cricket will be invaluable to us. He’s also great fun to work with and brings an infectious energy and enthusiasm to everything he does.

“The signing of another elite individual with significant stature in the game demonstrates our ambition and the importance we place on ensuring that our players receive the best possible support.”

Notably, RCB head coach Andy Flower was named the new head coach of the Spirit in October.

Karthik was part of the backroom staff with the RCB, which won the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year. He has played 180 matches for India at the international level, and has also been part of over 250 IPL matches as a player and coach.

The 40-year-old has retired from active Indian cricket, but continues to play in overseas leagues. He has already played in the SA20 for the Paarl Royals and recently led India in the Hong Kong Sixes.