In a lighthearted yet pointed exchange on a recent Sky Sports podcast, former England captain Michael Atherton couldn’t resist taking a cheeky swipe at Dinesh Karthik, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) batting coach, for delivering what he called a ‘five-minute lecture’ to none other than Virat Kohli during the IPL 2025 final. The clash between RCB and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad provided the backdrop for this amusing incident, which has since sparked lively discussions among cricket fans.
The moment in question unfolded during a strategic timeout in the high-stakes final. Atherton, with his characteristic wit, recalled observing Karthik animatedly instructing Kohli, who was at the crease, with a series of gestures and pointed advice. ‘I saw you there, pointing at him, giving him a long talk,’ Atherton chuckled during the podcast. He then dropped the bombshell: ‘I think he was out the very next over after your five-minute lecture. So, tell me, what exactly did you say to him?’ The question left Karthik in stitches, visibly scrambling for a diplomatic response.
Karthik, a former India wicketkeeper and a veteran of the IPL with over 200 matches under his belt, couldn’t hold back his laughter. ‘This is probably the hardest question I’ve been asked on a podcast,’ he admitted. Attempting to dodge the bullet, he turned the tables on Atherton, asking, ‘What do you think I was telling him, considering he got out the next over?’ Unfazed, Atherton quipped, ‘Well, I don’t know. I just thought, what is this man telling one of the greatest batters that has ever walked the earth? What can he possibly be telling him? And then, whatever he told him clearly didn’t work!’
The humor didn’t stop there. Fellow podcast guest and former England captain Nasser Hussain jumped in with a playful jab, noting, ‘I think this is the first time ever that you haven’t got an answer, Dinesh. You’re silent!’ Karthik, still laughing, confessed, ‘I really don’t have a memory of whatever I said.’ While the exact contents of the conversation remain a mystery, the incident has added a memorable footnote to an already thrilling IPL final, where RCB clinched victory—a triumph that saw Karthik, as Atherton predicted, at the forefront of the celebrations holding the coveted trophy.
This exchange isn’t just a comedic highlight; it underscores the high-pressure environment of the IPL, where even a few words during a timeout can become the subject of intense scrutiny. Kohli, who has amassed over 7,500 runs in the IPL with an average above 38, is often seen as a figure beyond coaching in crunch moments. Yet, Karthik’s intent—whether tactical or motivational—reflects the team dynamic at RCB, where every voice, even in jest, contributes to the bigger picture. For now, fans are left chuckling at Atherton’s sharp observation, wondering what magic (or mischief) Karthik might have attempted to weave in those fleeting five minutes.