'Boosted me when I struggled in IPL 2022': Kohli on special bond Karthik

Premier India batter Virat Kohli has paid tribute to Dinesh Karthik after his retirement at the end of RCBs IPL 2024 campaign describing the veteran wicketkeeperbatter as a wise and honest person who lifted his spirits during a phase of struggle in the leagues 2022 seasonThe 38yearold who joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru from Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022 for his second stint after 2015 played his last IPL match on Wednesday when RCB were eliminated by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 playoffsOff the field I have had some really nice and interesting conversations with him He is a wise man and has great knowledge about a lot of things not just cricket Kohli said in a special tribute video posted by RCBThe little over 11minute video features tributes from Karthiks wife Dipika Pallikal Karthik his personal mentor Abhishek Nayar RCB assistant coach Malolan Rangarajan and fitness coach Shanker BasuAlso ReadBattle of equals as Royals face Hyderabad at ChepaukKohli recalled the 2022 season when he averaged just 2273 scoring 341 runs from 16 matches as they missed the final bus losing to Rajasthan Royals in the second qualifierI have thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with him Even in that phase in 2022 when I did not have a great IPL season I was really struggling for confidence he recalledHe sat me down a couple of times and just gave me a very honest explanation of how he saw things and maybe I am not able to see them myself Kohli addedA veteran campaigner in the IPL Karthik has been involved in all the editions of the league since the inaugural 2008 season and has represented six franchises including leading KKR to the playoffs in 2018He ended with 4842 runs in 257 matches with 22 fiftiesI just like his honesty his courage to go and speak to anyone about things that he really feels about And that I think is the most special thing for me when it comes to Dinesh And thats something that Ive always cherished about him And thats why we get along really really wellKohli also hailed Karthik as a technically correct and versatile batterI always looked at Dinesh and felt like he was such a correct player technically that he could adapt to any kind of role thats been given to him and I remember watching him in the 2013 season where he got 600 runs or something and he batted brilliantly at three I saw him play shots which were like wow I think hes done brilliantly to switch and become a renowned finisherI wish him all the very best for all his future endeavours moving forwardKohli hoped that Karthik would stay connected to the RCB franchise in some capacitybecause his expertise when it comes to cricket is priceless I think hes of great value to this franchise he saidRecalling his first meeting with Karthik during Indias tour of South Africa in 2009 Kohli said at first he found him to be a hyperactive and confused person moving all over the placeThe first time I met him I remember we were playing in South Africa if I am not wrong in the Champions Trophy 2009 It was the first time I shared the change room with Dinesh and I found him to be very amusing very I would say hyperactive confused person Most of the time he was moving all over the place never stopping That was my first impression of Dinesh He is an outstanding talent brilliant batter to watch and my first impression and the presentday impression are not far apart just that he has become wiser and calmed down a lot Kohli addedWith agency inputs