Dinesh Karthik has outlined his coaching philosophy at RCB, emphasising understanding players alongside skill development. His approach has contributed to RCB’s strong IPL 2026 start, including a record-breaking fastest 200-plus chase, highlighting clarity, preparation, and trust in players.

Bengaluru, 2 April 2026: From one of the most accomplished finishers in T20 cricket to shaping one of the most dynamic batting units in the league, Dinesh Karthik’s transition into a coaching role at Royal Challengers Bengaluru is yielding strong results as the side began their 2026 IPL campaign by scripting history, pulling off the fastest 200-plus chase in IPL history against Sunrisers Hyderabad, chasing down the target in just 15.4 overs, a performance that highlighted both preparation and execution under pressure.

Karthik outlines player-centric coaching approach

“In our team, we have players at very different stages of their careers. All of them are eager to learn, and my role is to understand what each individual needs, while ultimately preparing them for match situations. Where they bat and the challenges they face are very different. For example, someone like Phil Salt will often deal with the new ball swinging, whereas for someone like Romario Shepherd, swing is rarely a factor at that stage. So, it’s about helping them understand those scenarios, what positions to get into, what to look for, and then observing and giving them feedback accordingly. Coaching is as much about understanding the person as it is about the skill,” Karthik said, reflecting on his coaching philosophy.

Clarity and trust key to coaching method