Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik revealed that it was because of Virat Kohli’s invaluable advice that he turned to coaching and in turn, led RCB to their first title in IPL history.
it was Dinesh KarthikThe former RCB batsman, who played some invaluable innings for the Challengers between 2022 and 2024 and after his retirement, he turned to coaching for the Royal Challengers. Unsurprisingly, his inclusion in the coaching staff led RCB to their first IPL title.
Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Punjab Kings in the final of IPL 2025. After being put to bat first, the bowling lineup led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar restricted the opposition to just 6 runs short of the target and clinched the title.
He just showed me how it would look – Dinesh Karthik
Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik recently revealed how he became the batting coach and mentor for Royal Challengers Bangalore within a year of announcing his retirement from the IPL.
The 40-year-old former RCB player said that he had a great relationship with RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat and it was the Englishman who sowed the seed of coaching in his mind.
“It manifested when, when I was closing in on 2024, Mo asked me if I would be keen or interested. I was in the middle of the tournament, and it was a very different IPL season – we had lost six out of seven games or seven out of eight games, I don’t remember exactly – and we had a mountain to climb. To be honest, nobody gave us a chance,” DK recalled of the IPL 2024 scenario.
“But I was so invested in it. We were discussing while I was playing, and I was also talking to my wife and Mo. Mallolan Rangarajan was also giving me a picture of what could happen if I played. He never told me, ‘Do this or do that.’ They just showed me what it would look like,” he said.
Also Read: DC vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today Match, Dream11 Team Today, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Injury Update – IPL 2026, Match 48
Dinesh Karthik talks about his relationship with Mo Bobat
Dinesh Karthik revealed his relationship with RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and how much he can trust him and how he has been attracted to the RCB managerial head. He further revealed that Bobcat took him under his wing when he revealed that head coach Andy Flower was also excited to take him under his wing.
“Mo had full confidence that I would be useful to the team. I trust Mo a lot – I have fallen in love with him a lot and I have a great equation with him. He didn’t turn me down, but he showed me exactly what it would look like and told me it was a good place, considering where I was in my career. I trusted him completely, and I gave in,” Karthik said on the RCB Podcast.
‘You’ll probably fit in quite well’: Virat Kohli’s advice helps Dinesh Karthik ease into coaching role for RCB
He further said that Kohli urged him to reconsider the offer and it was Kohli’s due respect that prompted him to take charge as the coach of the RCB team. Virat was very excited about DK being made the new mentor of RCB.
“When the offer actually came at the end of the season, after I retired, Mo called me and said he was interested. He also said that Andy was very happy, and he was in a place where he felt some of the Indian coaching staff would also help.
“I remember speaking to Virat again and he said, ‘You should do this. You’ll probably fit in quite well.’ That’s all I needed. A person like Virat has respect for you and it is a challenge.”
Also read: Dominance continues: India remain at No. 1 in latest ICC T20I team rankings; Pakistan is struggling at number six
