IPL 2025: "Genius par excellence”- RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik lavishes rich praise on Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli completed 9000 runs for RCB in T20s, becoming the first batter to do so.

Virat Kohli, the RCB team's star batsman, has been praised by Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik, who called the 36-year-old a "genius par excellence" for his continuously outstanding performances in the Indian Premier League over the course of 18 seasons, most recently in their pivotal match against the Lucknow Super Giants on May 26.

Once again, Kohli's skill in chasing totals was crucial as RCB defeated LSG by chasing down the 228 target to guarantee a spot in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1.

Jitesh Sharma (85*) and Mayank Agarwal (41*) led RCB to a spectacular six-wicket victory over LSG on Tuesday, claiming a spot in Qualifier 1 after nine arduous years, thanks to Kohli's 54 from 30 balls.

Dinesh Karthik praised Kohli's 18-season IPL success and praised his enthusiasm and commitment to the game, calling him an inspiration to young, aspiring cricket players.

"Genius par excellence, that's the start, I'll say for Virat Kohli. Across 18 seasons, he already averages, not averages, he's got 9000 runs, which is 500 runs a season. People managed to get those 12 seasons. Hayden has got it a few times more, but it is such a hard ask. But for him to come churn out runs every year, have that motivation, even in warmups, the way he feels," Karthik told JioHotstar.

"I was just hitting a few balls to him, the speed at which it comes back in the mid, it tells you the man has got so much passion and intensity with anything he wants to do, and that's such a brilliant attribute for any young boy and girl wanting to play sport, forget cricket, just the passion, the hard work, the dedication, with every minute you spend towards the sport. He is a walking example of that," he added.

RCB stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma hammered 85* with 8 fours and 6 sixes, while Mayank made 41* with 5 fours, adding 107* runs for the 4^th wicket as RCB chased down 227 runs. During the match, Virat Kohli became the first batter to score 9,000 runs for RCB in T20s.