Xtra Time Web Desk: Dinesh Karthik, an experienced campaigner in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been open about his relationship with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans, describing it as a love-hate one. Despite this, he is currently relishing his time with the franchise.
Karthik’s journey in the IPL spans back to its inception in 2008. He began his IPL career with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and later played for Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians before joining RCB in 2014. However, he later captained the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
In the 2022 IPL auction, RCB made a significant investment to secure Karthik’s services, indicating their confidence in his abilities. They assigned him the crucial role of a finisher in the team.
Despite not having won an IPL trophy, RCB boasts one of the largest and most passionate fan bases in the league. Their loyal supporters continue to stand by the team through thick and thin, eagerly awaiting the elusive championship title.
Karthik’s experience and adaptability make him a valuable asset for RCB as they strive to clinch their maiden IPL title, and his perspective adds depth to the ongoing narrative of cricket in the IPL.
Karthik shared his views on RCB’s loyal fanbase and how they treat their players as a family which works in both good and bad ways.
“RCB fans are loyalists. They are actually family, and I say that in good and bad ways. The good way is that when you go, no matter what happens, if I walk in, they will cheer my name and make me feel like I’m the greatest player on Earth. What I mean by that is that to the outside world, they will never give up on you. If there is a fight between say you know some team and they say, “Oh, X is not a good player,” they will pounce on that person,” Karthik told Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
However, Karthik revealed the dark side of the RCB base which exposed its toxicity as some of them abused them in the DMs.
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“On a personal level, that same fan will abuse me silently in DMs every day, rather than on a one-on-one note. He will go hard at me if I don’t do well for RCB; he will smash me, not just me, my family, and whoever is possible in my life. But to the outside world, They will not give up an RCB player,” Karthik continued.
The veteran wicketkeeper asserted that he has played for several franchises but the RCB fanbase stood out for him.
“For them, it is very special, and what a fan base they have for a team that has been competing for 16 years! unreal fan base that they have, as I said. I’ve been part of many teams. You know all of them have fans, but RCB is incredible,” he concluded.