While players like Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar soaked in the long-awaited glory, one man who had a particularly sweet victory was Dinesh Karthik. The former India wicketkeeper-batter, who was appointed as RCB’s mentor ahead of the 2025 season, played a pivotal off-field role in reshaping the franchise’s mindset and fortunes.
But the journey wasn’t without skepticism. RCB’s auction strategy was widely criticised, especially after releasing several big names. The appointment of Karthik as mentor too was met with cautious optimism. However, the franchise went on to win nine out of 14 matches in the league stage and then beat Punjab twice in the playoffs, including the all-important final.
In the days leading up to the final, former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton had light-heartedly taken a dig at Karthik on a Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, suggesting that he would be “unbearable” if RCB went on to win the IPL.
They joked that Karthik would wear the success “like a badge”, drawing parallels to Chelsea legend John Terry, who famously wore full kit to celebrate their 2012 Champions League title despite not playing in the final.
Karthik didn’t forget. And he didn’t disappoint. Hours after RCB’s emotional title win, the 39-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) to fire back playfully at the English duo with a sharp, understated post.
The tweet, which quickly went viral, was hailed by fans as the perfect mix of wit and subtlety. It showed that Karthik was not only soaking in the triumph but also revelling in the banter, something he’s become known for during his stints in commentary and cricket broadcasting.
What makes the moment even more special is that this was Karthik’s first assignment as a mentor—and RCB’s first IPL trophy in nearly two decades of trying. His tactical influence, calm demeanor, and deep knowledge of the franchise’s inner workings (having played for them until 2023) proved to be a game-changer.
