Bengaluru, June 1, 2025: As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stand on the brink of their elusive maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title, former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton have sparked laughter with a cheeky prediction about Dinesh Karthik.
The legendary commentators joked that Dinesh Karthik, RCB’s batting coach this season, would become utterly “unbearable” should the franchise finally lift the trophy on June 3rd in Ahmedabad.
The playful banter unfolded on the Sky Sports Podcast following RCB’s emphatic 8-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, securing their spot in the IPL 2025 final. Rajat Patidar’s men now await the winner of the Eliminator (Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians) for the championship showdown.
The “Unbearable” Karthik Prediction
Hussain kicked off the light-hearted exchange, highlighting the potential irony: “RCB have got through to the finals. If they win that, Dinesh Karthik is going to be unbearable. One season as coach/mentor, and he’s won it.”
Atherton quickly piled on, adding a memorable football analogy: “He’s unbearable at the best of times, he’s going to be doubly unbearable. He’ll be like John Terry, at the front of the RCB trophy presentation, holding it there with Virat Kohli.”
The reference is to the iconic image of former Chelsea captain John Terry, famously pictured in full kit celebrating the 2012 UEFA Champions League final win despite being suspended for the match. Atherton’s quip suggests Dinesh Karthik, though now in a coaching role, would be front and centre basking in the glory if RCB triumphs.
Dinesh Karthik‘s Witty Comeback
Never one to shy away from banter, Dinesh Karthik swiftly responded to the viral clip on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). His six-word retort playfully targeted the veteran commentators: “This podcast needs some young energy.”
Karthik’s Crucial Role in RCB’s Journey
The focus on Dinesh Karthik isn’t just about potential celebrations; it underscores his significant contribution to RCB’s successful campaign. Appointed as the team’s batting coach ahead of IPL 2025, his impact has been widely noted. Players like Jitesh Sharma have publicly credited Dinesh Karthik for helping refine their techniques and game plans during the season.
Karthik himself had previously spoken passionately about his motivation for joining the RCB support staff. In a heartfelt video for the franchise, he cited the quest for the trophy as a major driving force:
“Being part of RCB is a very special feeling… But the trophy hadn’t reached the shores of Bangalore yet. If I could be part of that journey, why not? That was a big question in my mind. I know how close we were when I played. So here’s another opportunity for me as a coach.”
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The Stakes for RCB and Karthik
As RCB prepares for the IPL 2025 final on Tuesday, June 3rd, at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium, the pressure is immense. Ending a long trophy drought would be historic for the passionate franchise and its legion of fans worldwide.
And if Patidar’s team does pull it off? According to Hussain and Atherton, expect Dinesh Karthik to be beaming with pride – perhaps even channeling his inner John Terry during the celebrations. Whether fans find that “unbearable” or utterly deserved remains to be seen, but it would certainly cap off a remarkable first season in the coaching box for the former wicketkeeper-batsman.
Will RCB finally break their title jinx? And just how “unbearable” will a victorious Dinesh Karthik become? Cricket fans will be watching closely on Tuesday night.
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