Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik on Friday stepped down as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders team, handing over the reins to his English deputy Eoin Morgan hours before the IPL match against Mumbai Indians.
Karthik told the KKR management that he wants to “focus on his batting and contributing more to the team’s cause.” Appointed skipper in 2018, the 35-year-old led KKR in 37 matches.
“We are fortunate to have leaders such as DK, who has always put the team first. It takes a lot of courage for someone like him to take a decision such as this,” team CEO Venky Mysore said in a statement.
“While we were surprised by his decision, we are respectful of his wishes.”
Midway into the ongoing season, KKR find themselves at fourth place in the points table with four wins and four losses. Morgan was widely tipped to take over at some point from Karthik given the topsy-turvy run.