Latest news with #MichaelAtherton
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
"He Will Be Unbearable": England Greats Don't Want RCB Winning IPL Title. Here's Why
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are just one win away from clinching the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 title. After a comprehensive victory against the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, RCB have set the tone for what their opponents can expect from them in the final. While the franchise's extravagant fanbase is keeping its fingers crossed for the final, some England greats like Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton are worried about RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik becoming 'unbearable' if the team goes on to lift its maiden title after 17 years. Karthik, who has worked as a cricket pundit for multiple platforms before being roped in as RCB's mentor ahead of the IPL 2025 season, is on the brink of doing what no other coach has previously managed to with the franchise. In his first campaign as an IPL side's support staff, Karthik stands just one win away from helping RCB win the elusive IPL title. "RCB have got through to the finals. If they win that, DK is going to be unbearable. One season as coach/mentor and he's won it," Hussain jokingly said during a Sky Sports Podcast. "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," Michael Atherton added. Karthik hasn't just been a voice in the dressing room but has also acted as a 'leader' on the field for RCB, giving instructions from outside the boundary rope on a regular basis. "Being part of RCB is a very special feeling. Purely because of the brand of cricket that we play, but also the fans that we have. And most importantly, it's a journey that's been filled with lots of highs and lows. 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," said Karthik on his role. Listen to the latest songs, only on
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton say Dinesh Karthik will be ‘unbearable' if RCB win IPL 2025: ‘He'll be like John Terry'
Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is chasing history as they look to win their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title. The franchise qualified for the summit clash of the 2025 season after beating Punjab Kings by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur. The franchise will now face either Punjab Kings or Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, June 3. Ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 final, former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton joked that Dinesh Karthik would be unbearable if RCB ended their trophy drought and won the T20 competition this year. Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, Dinesh Karthik was named RCB's batting coach, and his inclusion in the support staff has paid real dividends. After the league stage match against Lucknow Super Giants, Jitesh Sharma revealed how Dinesh Karthik has helped him improve his game. Michael Atherton also joined the banter, saying Dinesh Karthik will probably act like former Chelsea star John Terry after the 2012 Champions League final. He said just like Terry, Dinesh Karthik will also be at the front of the trophy celebrations. 'RCB have got through to the finals. If they win that, DK is going to be unbearable. One season as coach/mentor, and he's won it,' Hussain said on the Sky Sports Podcast. On the other hand, Atherton said, '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." Dinesh Karthik also reacted to the viral video clip, responding in six words to the banter between Atherton and Hussain about RCB's campaign in the IPL 2025 season so far. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Dinesh Karthik wrote, 'This podcast needs some young energy.' Earlier, Dinesh Karthik had stated that it was a very special feeling for him to be a part of RCB. He stated winning the tournament with the franchise was the biggest reason behind him deciding to join the support staff. "Being part of RCB is a very special feeling. Purely because of the brand of cricket that we play, but also the fans that we have. And most importantly, it's a journey that's been filled with lots of highs and lows," said Karthik in a video posted on the official handle of RCB. "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," he added.
