Bengaluru: Dinesh Karthik\u2019s journey with Royal Challengers Bengaluru has taken him from the front-line pressures of being a trusted late-innings option to a more behind-the-scenes influence as the franchise\u2019s mentor and batting coach. Now part of the dugout of the IPL title-holders, the 40-year-old has spoken candidly about how the defending champions are thinking about the season, how their leadership has steadied in the form of captain Rajat Patidar, and what it takes to coach a mix of Indian and international talent in the modern T20 environment.<\/p>\n
On the mindset required to defend a championship, Karthik said that the squad began with a clear plan for each player\u2014detailing what they were expected to do when the game demanded it. He stressed that T20 cricket naturally brings swings in results, so the emphasis was not on avoiding inconsistency but on executing the processes they were good at and continuing to sharpen areas where improvement was possible. For a long tournament, he added, staying fresh is as important as staying focused, and the team keeps working on those fundamentals week after week.<\/p>\n
Karthik also described Patidar\u2019s captaincy as reassuring and grounded. He said it has been \u201cheartwarming\u201d to see the skipper remain essentially the same person\u2014cool, composed, and relaxed whether on the field or away from it. In his view, Patidar absorbs pressure without letting it show, and that balance is a notable quality in a leader. Karthik further noted that the captain\u2019s identity has not changed just because of the armband; having played with him and maintained a strong relationship, he said it is especially satisfying to watch Patidar succeed both as a batter and as a skipper.<\/p>\n
Turning to Devdutt Padikkal\u2019s growth, Karthik pointed out that the batter has long been an exceptional performer for Karnataka across formats, but that the IPL phase encouraged him to refine parts of his game. He said Padikkal identified specific changes quickly and worked on them straight away, with the group supporting his process. Karthik believes the results are visible in the confidence Padikkal is showing and the way he is batting, adding that it is a strong sign when a young player understands what it takes to elevate his level and actively seeks guidance\u2014while still doing things in his own style. He described Padikkal as a strong talent and said it is encouraging to see that ability developing into something special for the team.<\/p>\n
On the difference between coaching local players and international stars, Karthik said adaptation is essential. He cited Tim David and Romario Shepherd as examples of how two overseas players can be completely different in approach, meaning the coaching method must reflect each personality. He explained that these are independent individuals, so the staff must understand what actually works for them, and sometimes the most effective way is to talk less. Karthik also emphasized that he tries to speak only when needed, and that he has learned a great deal from Andy Flower and Mo Bobat about handling different players and understanding their character traits\u2014traits that, in his experience, can vary significantly from those commonly found among Indian players, but all with a shared foundation of respect.<\/p>\n
Karthik further touched on Phil Salt\u2019s perspective and his own role in helping foreign players. He said it was positive to see Salt acknowledge that something Karthik had shared contributed to Salt\u2019s improvement. Karthik\u2019s job, he explained, is to understand what Salt is doing and to help him refine his game, particularly by discussing areas where progress is possible. He described Salt as receptive to open conversation, which in turn allows Karthik to pass on feedback that the player can actually use. He also highlighted how rewarding it can be to build that kind of relationship with overseas cricketers\u2014especially through regular conversations, including those that take place when players are on the bench, where discussions can still meaningfully shape match-day performance.<\/p>\n
Finally, Karthik addressed what it means to be selected in an IPL squad. He said that being placed in the top group of playing XI choices\u2014often referred to as being in the top eleven or twelve\u2014does not define a player\u2019s worth. Selection, he argued, is about team combinations, and if a player is not in the XI for a particular match, it should not reduce how valuable they are. He also warned against overthinking whether one\u2019s role is secure, framing it instead as a longer process where form, fit, and strategy all matter.<\/p>\n
On grooming finishers, Karthik described the role as highly specialized and challenging. Because finishers face fewer deliveries than top-order batters, the job requires understanding what success looks like under pressure and being ready for the reality that dismissals can come in ways that are not always representative of a player\u2019s overall quality. He said that since finishers often take higher risks for a large part of an innings, they must be deeply aware of what outcomes matter and how failures can be misleading if judged only by a single moment. In his view, the key is to treat success and setbacks with equal clarity. He also underlined that preparation\u2014how a player practices and gets ready for each match\u2014is crucial to performing effectively in those late-overs responsibilities.<\/p>\n
With the season running long, Karthik\u2019s comments reflect a wider theme within the champions\u2019 camp: stay process-driven, remain adaptable, and keep improving without losing freshness. Fans can also keep track of the latest updates through IPL live coverage and ongoing match reports, while following the tournament\u2019s race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Bengaluru: Dinesh Karthik\u2019s journey with Royal Challengers Bengaluru has taken him from the front-line pressures of being a trusted late-innings option to a more behind-the-scenes…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12874,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Dinesh Karthik on RCB & Rajat Patidar IPL Pressure","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Dinesh Karthik reveals how RCB manages IPL pressure, mentoring Rajat Patidar and shaping batting plans as defending champions chase another title.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n