After Virat Kohli's heartfelt hug, Dinesh Karthik fights back tears as the IPL retirement is confirmed.

It hit the Royal Challengers Bengaluru players moments after yet another year that seemed so close yet so far away. Their beloved's illustrious run in the league came to an end after they were eliminated from the IPL 2024 after losing the Eliminator to the Rajasthan Royals. Dinesh Karthik's final game as an RCB player on the cricket field was this one. Or for that matter, any franchise. Although DK didn't issue an official statement, it was clear from the post-match circumstances what happened. From the IPL, Karthik had retired. The RR players shook hands more firmly. He received hugs from Kumar Sangakkara and Dhurv Jurel that were more intense than normal. There seemed to be an endless walk to the changing room. Time stopped still for DK at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.