NEW DELHI: Following his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
's elimination from the tournament, veteran wicketkeeper-batter
Dinesh Karthik
ventured into a new sport,
javelin throw
, in a viral video shared on social media platforms.
In the video, Karthik was seen trying his hand at javelin throw alongside Olympic champion
Neeraj Chopra
.
The clip captured a light-hearted moment between the two athletes, with Karthik gearing up for his throw while Chopra offered encouragement.
As Karthik prepared for his attempt, Chopra can be heard motivating him, saying, "Chalo ho jayega Dinesh bhai," instilling confidence in the cricketer. Karthik then executed what appeared to be a commendable javelin throw.
WATCH:
Prior to his foray into javelin throw, Karthik reflected on his decision to retire from the IPL, citing mental challenges as a significant factor. Despite being physically fit to continue playing
professional cricket
for another three years, Karthik emphasized the mental demands of the game as a determining factor in his retirement.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik highlighted his robust physical condition throughout his cricketing career, expressing gratitude for never missing a game due to injury. However, he acknowledged the mental aspect of the sport as more challenging, particularly concerning his ability to maintain motivation and adapt to fluctuating playing opportunities.
"It was all about the mental side of things, whether I'll be able to push as much in the lead-up to the tournament, whether if I don't play as many matches, will I be okay with it," Karthik elaborated on the mental challenges he faced.
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