TOP STORIES

Karthik backs veteran batter Kohli’s ability against spin

Friday, 28-Mar-2025
News

Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik has expressed confidence in Virat Kohli’s ability to handle the spin challenges very well against CSK. RCB and CSK will square off against each other in the eighth match of the IPL, scheduled to be played on Friday at Chepauk. Spin is expected to dominate the proceedings in Chennai, but Karthik believes that Kohli, in recent times, has adjusted himself very well against spin. Kohli recently proved that by demonstrating his batting prowess against spinners when he scored an impressive 59 unbeaten in RCB’s last match against KKR.

Meanwhile, Karthik also highlighted Kohli’s recent success in big-ticket tournaments such as T20I WC and Champions Trophy. Kohli had stood up for the side in the T20I WC 2024 final against South Africa, hitting 76. And most recently, in the Champions Trophy 2025, where spin remained on top, Kohli powered his way to 218, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer for India. 

"He's coming off some serious runs in the Champions Trophy. He has batted well in recent past against spin, especially in white-ball cricket. So, I don't want to go too deep into stats," Karthik said during the press conference ahead of CSK vs RCB match.   

"I'm not very aware, but if I remember, in the World Cup final, he got runs where it mattered. And apart from that, in the Champions Trophy, he had a good tournament, second-highest run-getter (for India). And that doesn't come without playing spin because, in Dubai, as you all know how well it helped the spinners, he was very aware. So, I believe right now, he is batting as well as he has ever done," he said.

Karthik also lauded Kohli's hunger for improvement. 

‘Even today, just now as I came out, he wanted to work on one more shot. At this point in time, to work on one more shot tells you the hunger that he has in his mindset," Karthik said.

"He wants to just improve and keep raising the bar. So, he is a special player. And at this point in time, the way I see it, he is batting as confidently and as well as he has ever done in the IPL."

 

 

Tags

More News

News

Andre Russell reflects on best moment ahead of international retirement

17 hrs ago

Veteran West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has announced his decision to retire from international cricket following the first two games of the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia. As he prepares to bid farewell to a remarkable career, Russell has singled out his innings in the semi-final of the 2016 T20 World Cup against India in Mumbai as his...


News

ZIM T20I tri-series: Zimbabwe eye victory amid downfall

19 hrs ago

Having already registered two defeats, Zimbabwe are in panic mode as they gear up to face South Africa in the fourth match of the ongoing T20I tri-series on Sunday in Harare. Both sides met in the series opener, where South Africa chased down Zimbabwe’s total to win by 5 wickets. Debutant Rubin Hermann propelled the Proteas’ innings with a fluent knock of 45, h...


News

WI vs AUS 1st T20I: All you need to know, head to head, playing XI

21 hrs ago

Attention shifts to the white ball as West Indies and Australia are set to face off in the first of a five-match T20I series on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica. Both teams would aim to kick off the proceedings on a high note to impose early dominance.

The West Indies will bank on veterans like Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Ho...


News

BAN vs PAK 1st T20I: All you need to know, head-to-head, playing XI

22 hrs ago

Bangladesh and Pakistan are set to lock horns in the opening T20I of their three-match series on Sunday at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. Bangladesh would hope to settle scores after their 0–3 whitewash to Pakistan earlier this year.

Both sides met each other earlier this year, with Pakistan securing a 3–0 series win over Bangladesh in Pakistan, up...


News

Former Indian cricketer warns India ahead of 4th Test

23 hrs ago

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has supported Indian batter Karun Nair, urging the Indian team management to continue backing the talented player despite his recent lean patch. Nair, who made his return to Indian Test side following an eight-year hiatus, hasn’t been able to repay the faith. In the first three matches since his return, Nair has managed low scores, not quit...