August 6, 2024

Dinesh Karthik to play for Paarl Royals in the SA20

Dinesh Karthik, 39, is set to become the first Indian player to participate in the SA20 league. He will join the Paarl Royals as an overseas player for the upcoming season, starting on January 9. This marks Karthik’s first tournament since he retired from “representative cricket” in June, coinciding with his 39th birthday.

Karthik, who played 180 matches for India, last appeared in IPL 2024 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), where he is now serving as a mentor and batting coach. Known for his sharp cricketing mind, Karthik is highly respected in the T20 circuit, where he has played 401 T20 matches. In the IPL, he has represented six teams, including leading the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and was one of the league’s fittest players, missing just two matches in 17 seasons.

“I have so many fond memories of playing in and visiting South Africa,” Karthik said. “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.

“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.”

The BCCI only permits retired Indian players to participate in overseas T20 leagues. Last year, Ambati Rayudu played for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the CPL and MI Emirates in the ILT20, while Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan also featured in the ILT20 with Dubai Capitals. Two years ago, Suresh Raina joined the Deccan Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10.

Recently, the Paarl Royals announced their retentions for the upcoming season, keeping captain David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, and Andile Phehlukwayo. Despite making the Qualifiers in the last SA20 edition, the Royals ended their campaign with five consecutive losses, including a nine-wicket defeat in the Eliminator against Joburg Super Kings.

“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,” Kumar Sangakkara, Royals’ director of cricket, 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.”

Paarl Royals squad

David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dinesh Karthik, Mitchell van Buuren, Codi Yusuf, Keith Dudgeon, Nqaba Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dayyaan Galiem (traded in)

Jhye Richardson Included for Perth Scorchers’ Top End trip

Fast bowler Jhye Richardson, whose career has been disrupted by injuries, is still in the plans of Australia’s selectors. He is set to play his first game in Australia since January, as part of the Perth Scorchers’ squad for the Top End T20 tournament in Darwin. Richardson is the standout player in a squad that mostly features young players on the fringes of the BBL and Western Australia teams, along with some from the WA academy.

Richardson, who received a Cricket Australia contract in March, last played domestically during the BBL before sustaining an injury. He made a brief appearance for Delhi Capitals in the IPL earlier this year. Although he was part of an Australia training camp in Brisbane, he was not selected for the upcoming tour of Scotland and England. The selectors are taking a cautious approach, hoping he can fully recover from the injuries that have plagued his international career. Richardson was previously in contention for an ODI return against West Indies last season before suffering a side strain.

“He’s fit and firing now, and again looking for match opportunities,” national selector George Bailey said last month. “I think he’ll get opportunities again across the summer.”

Richardson will be joined in the squad by fellow quick Matt Kelly whose season was also ended early by injury. Batter Sam Fanning has been named captain while Baxter Holt, who moved to Western Australia from New South Wales, is also included.

“We also see this tournament as an opportunity for Jhye and Kells [Matt Kelly] to find touch in a competitive environment,” stand-in coach Tim MacDonald said. “They didn’t play a lot of cricket last year but they’re a big part of what we do at the Scorchers and WA, so we’re looking forward to seeing both of them back in action.”

The Top End T20 tournament will also include teams such as Northern Territory Strike, Pakistan A, ACT, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, and a Bangladesh High Performance squad.