Dinesh Karthik appointed as RCB’s new batting coach and mentor

Dinesh Karthik is all set to don a new role in a fresh association with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who appointed the seasoned wicket-keeper batter as their batting coach and mentor ahead of IPL 2025.

Given his towering presence in the RCB camp for the last three seasons, DK’s new role will be a massive catalyst in grooming rising superstars while also providing a fine platform for the known heroes to perform with better clarity.

Karthik first joined the franchise in 2015 and he played for a couple of seasons from which he garnered 141 runs and 335 runs for the team respectively. In 2022, he rejoined the team and enjoyed fabulous returns with the bat, scoring 330 runs at a strike rate of 183.33. 

Although he endured a middling season in IPL 2023, DK was back to his dominating best in IPL 2024, where he amassed 326 runs at a strike rate of 187.36. 

A little over a week after the end of RCB’s IPL 2024 campaign, Karthik announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, and now, the 39-year-old will be a vital part of the franchise’s support staff.

Talking about Dinesh Karthik’s appointment, Mo Bobat, RCB’s director of cricket said, “DK is an excellent addition to our coaching group. He was thrilling to watch on the field, and I’m sure he will be just as impactful as a coach. His longevity and track record as a player speaks volumes about his skill and dedication. I know he will bring that same quality and commitment to this new professional chapter.”

He further added, “DK’s experiences across both international cricket and the IPL, make him a huge asset to RCB. I have no doubt that our players will benefit hugely from his expert support. As a player, DK demonstrated an elite mindset under pressure and a real drive to keep evolving his game. I’m looking forward to him instilling those same qualities and values into our players, and in particular, our batters.  We have exciting times ahead and it’s great for us that we can retain DK’s involvement, as someone who knows what it takes to play for RCB and our special fans.”

Reacting to his appointment, Dinesh Karthik said, “Coaching at a professional level is incredibly exciting for me and is something I'm truly passionate about as a new chapter in my life. Hopefully, the breadth of my experiences as a player can contribute to the development of the group and bring added value.”

He also added, “I believe that cricket success hinges not only on technical proficiency but also on match intelligence and composure. I am eager to coach and mentor our batting group, helping them to not only refine their method but also to develop the keen match awareness needed to excel under pressure. It’s also great that I can continue my association with RCB as the franchise continues to move from strength to strength.”

The inclusion of Dinesh Karthik in the team simply means that RCB will have a familiar face in their think tank while also deploying a reckoning force who can get the wheels rolling for the new and the experienced stars alike.