IPL 2026: RCB fans made me who I am today, adopted me as son of their own land, says Dinesh Karthik
New Delhi, May 21
Royal Challengers Bengaluru mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik said the franchise's supporters had embraced him like one of their own, adding that the bond with the franchise's fan base played a critical part in shaping his journey.
Karthik represented RCB in IPL 2025, before having his second stint with the side from 2022 to 2024. After ending his IPL playing career, Karthik made a seamless transition to being the side's batting coach and mentor, as RCB won the championship for the first time in 2025.
"RCB fans made me who I am today. They adopted me as their son from their own land, and I have enjoyed that. One moment I would like to live again is RCB winning the IPL. I think that was a great moment, an iconic moment," said Karthik in an upcoming episode of the Quest Talk podcast by iQOO.
Defending champions RCB have already sealed their spot in the IPL 2026 playoffs and are on top of the points table with 18 points from 13 games. When the host suggested it could happen again this year, Karthik replied: "Touch wood."
Karthik credited the franchise's leadership group, which had Sanjay Bangar and Mike Hesson before Andy Flower and Mo Bobat took over, for building a strong winning culture in the setup.
"In 2022, Sanjay Bangar and Mike Hesson did a good job for RCB in picking a fairly balanced team, but we still managed to keep going to the playoffs, but never ended up crossing that line. And then there were two people that RCB bought - Andy Flower and Mo Bobat.
"In the recent past, the person who has highly influenced me, I have learned a lot from him and enjoyed spending time with him, is Mo Bobat, because I feel he is someone who has great vision, knowledge, and who has come through the grind and is very respectful.
"Andy Flower is by far the best coach in the world by a distance. Purely from a results point of view, there is no one even close to him. Mind you, he does everything possible to win. And I'm very proud to say that RCB has a good culture in place and that is reflective of the way we play, of the way we behave, and of the way we prepare," he added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's amazing how DK has reinvented himself. From being a finisher on the field to a mentor off it. His praise for Andy Flower and Mo Bobat shows the strong leadership culture at RCB. But honestly, I think fans deserve credit too - we never gave up on RCB through all those years of heartbreak.
I remember when DK first joined RCB in 2022, many were skeptical. But he proved everyone wrong with his consistent performances. The way he handled pressure in the 2023 season was masterclass. RCB's decision to retain him as mentor was one of their best moves. Ee sala cup namde! 🔥
I appreciate DK's sentiments but let's be honest - RCB fans have been through a lot of pain over the years. We've supported the team through 9 playoff exits before finally winning in 2025. DK deserves credit for his contribution, but the fans' loyalty is unmatched. Hope the culture he talks about stays strong!
DK's transformation from a player who was often criticized to a highly respected mentor is something young cricketers can learn from. His understanding of the game and ability to groom younger players is evident. RCB under Andy Flower's coaching has become a well-oiled machine. Kudos to the management for creating this winning culture! 👏
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