During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS), former England captain Michael Atherton pushed Dinesh Karthik, the batting coach and mentor for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), for his lengthy conversation with Indian legend Virat Kohli.
During a strategic timeout, the wicketkeeper-batter was shown talking to Kohli. However, it appeared that the counsel was ineffective, as Kohli was removed in the very next over. Karthik attempted to avoid the topic by laughing when asked about the incident.
“I had a hunch before the final that you would be the one at the front, clutching the trophy, if RCB won, and that’s exactly what happened.
“You won the trophy even though Virat Kohli was at the back,” Michael Atherton remarked.
After that, I noticed something in that final. You talked to Virat Kohli for a long period while he was at the crease during a deliberate break. For a long time, I saw you pointing at him, and in the next over, he was thrown out. What did you say to him specifically? On Sky Sports, Atherton enquired.
DK shares his prediction ahead of the England v India Test series 💭 pic.twitter.com/SvYmjA6ioq
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 16, 2025
Dinesh said he didn’t want to endanger himself by providing the incorrect response.
“I think that’s the most difficult question I’ve ever been asked on a podcast.” I can manage the first section, at least. However, for the second, I’m attempting to consider my options thoroughly so that I don’t endanger myself by providing the incorrect response,” Dinesh said.
Nasser Hussain, the former captain of England, also had a period when Karthik found it difficult to answer the question. “One can say nothing to a legendary batter like Kohli,” Atherton continued.
“I believe I’ve never seen you so stunned in my life. Hussain remarked, “You’re not saying anything.”
“I was merely curious as to what this man would be saying to one of cricket’s greatest batters. And what counsel would he give him? He was out in the following over, so I concluded that nothing he said had any effect,” Atherton continued.
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