After defeating Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have achieved their goal of winning the IPL for the first time. An 18-year wait was over for them. After eighteen years, Virat Kohli's wait was finally over.
The world witnessed Kohli sobbing before the RCB's triumph was certain. However, many people overlook how important his knock of 43 was. As RCB struck 190/9 in 20 overs, Kohli led the way with three fours.
When it appeared like Kohli had become stuck, the entire RCB coaching staff, including head coach Andy Flower and batting partner Dinesh Karthik, joined in during the strategic time-out. Indeed, Karthik and Kohli were spotted engaging in a lively conversation. Whatever the debate, it didn't help Kohli, who was out in the very next over.
Karthik was questioned about his conversation with Kohli on the Sky Sports podcast, which was hosted by England greats Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain. The former captains did their best to elicit a response from DK. This is how the discussion went.
"In that final, what I noticed was, during the strategic time-out, you spent a long time telling Virat Kohli what to do. He was at the crease, and you were there. I saw you pointing at him. And I think he was out the very next over, after your five-minute lecture. Tell me what you told him there,” Michael Atherton stated on the Sky Sports podcast.
“This is probably the hardest question I have been asked on a podcast. I am trying to think, without getting scarred for my life, I need to give the right answer. What did you think I was telling him, considering he got out in the next over?” Karthik said.
Atherton then mocked Karthik about lecturing Kohli and said: “Well, I don't know. I just saw what this man is telling one of the greatest batters that ever walked the earth. What can he possibly be telling him, and then whatever he told him didn't work because he was out.”
"I think it's the first time ever that you don't have an answer. You are silent,” Hussain added.
Here is the video:
This was not the first time that Karthik and Kohli had done something out of the ordinary. Earlier in the season, when fielding against the Rajasthan Royals, Kohli had to decline Karthik's plea. Actually, instead of listening to Karthik, Kohli folded his hands.
