Former England captain Michael Atherton pulled Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik‘s leg for his lengthy discussion with Indian stalwart Virat Kohli during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS).
The wicketkeeper-batter was seen conversing with Kohli during a strategic timeout, but the advice seemed to have little effect, as Kohli was dismissed in the very next over. When questioned about the moment, Karthik laughed and tried to sidestep the question.
“Before the final, I had a feeling that if RCB emerged victorious, you would be the one at the front, holding the trophy, and that’s exactly how it played out. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli was at the back, but you still won the trophy,” Atherton said.
“Then, in that final, something caught my attention. During a strategic break, you spent significant time talking to Virat Kohli while he was at the crease. I noticed you gesturing towards him for quite some time, and in the following over, he was dismissed. What exactly did you say to him?” Atherton asked on Sky Sports.
‘What is this man telling one of the greatest batters that has ever walked the earth?’ 😆 What was DK saying to Virat Kohli in the IPL final? 🤔
11:01 PM · Jun 16, 2025
Karthik remarked that he did not want to put himself in danger by giving the wrong answer.
“That’s probably the toughest question I’ve ever been asked on a podcast. At least I can handle the first part. But for the second, I’m trying to think carefully, without putting myself in danger by giving the wrong answer,” Karthik responded.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain also had his moment when Karthik struggled to respond to the question. Atherton added by noting that one can say nothing to a legendary batter like Kohli.
“I think it’s the first time I’ve seen you speechless. You’re not saying anything,” Hussain said.
“I was just wondering, what could this man possibly be telling one of the greatest batters in cricket history? What advice would he offer him? And then I realised that whatever he said didn’t work, because he was out in the next over,” Atherton added.
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