After Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 11 runs, the team’s batting coach Dinesh Karthik had high praise for Virat Kohli. He said he’s truly amazed at how Kohli has stayed so consistent and performed at such a high level for 18 years. Karthik added that it takes incredible focus and dedication to keep up that kind of standard, especially in a tough league like the IPL.
Virat Kohli once again showed why he’s one of the best, playing a brilliant innings against the Rajasthan Royals. He scored a classy 70 runs from just 42 balls, hitting eight fours and two big sixes. It looked like he was heading towards a century, but his fine knock came to an end when Jofra Archer got him out. His performance played a big role in RCB’s victory.
Karthik on Kohli: A True Leader
In a video posted by RCB on X, Dinesh Karthik praised Virat Kohli for his remarkable consistency over his 18-year IPL journey.
“It’s one thing to play IPL for 18 years, but it’s a different thing to be consistent for 18 years. It just tells you a lot about the man. And he was very determined. He just felt the first three games in Bangalore. He told me two things. One, that probably he could have thought a little better. And B, he felt the fans, the way he looks at it. He knows that a lot of the people turn up just to watch him play. So you can see, even though he didn’t say it explicitly, he felt that,” Karthik said.
Dinesh Karthik on the greatness of Virat Kohli. 🐐pic.twitter.com/636lDA9I8p
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 25, 2025
Karthik also spoke about how Kohli plays a big role as a mentor and leader in the team. He mentioned how Kohli actively helps young players like Devdutt Padikkal and makes sure that new members like Phil Salt feel welcome and settle in easily. Karthik ended by calling Kohli a true champion, highlighting how he leads by example and inspires others through his actions and performance on the field.
“That man puts his mind to something, the way he adapts, understands situations. I’m too small a person to even speak about it. He’s an absolute champion. Just the way he went about it. Also guiding Dev [Devdutt Padikkal] along the way. Making sure it took Salt along at the start. His body language, his commitment to a cause. Outstanding,” Karthik concluded.
ALSO READ: Suresh Raina on Kohli’s T20I Exit: ‘He Retired Too Early’
