Dinesh Karthik, the batting coach for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), had a laugh at Virat Kohli’s expense after Kohli was seen dancing with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan before their opening match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025. During the opening ceremony, Kohli and Shah Rukh got into the spirit of things, but it didn’t stop him from performing well, as he scored an unbeaten 59 off just 36 balls to help RCB chase down a target of 175.
After the game, Karthik took a moment to motivate the team in the dressing room. He couldn’t help but joke about Kohli’s dance moves, saying it made him look good on the field. He mentioned a chat with head coach Andy Flower, laughing about how Kohli’s dancing might have helped his footwork. “Andy said his footwork was good because of the dance! I’m not one for those kinds of jokes! Karthik said.
Still, he praised Kohli for stepping up in the chase as always. You really showed what being a chase-master is all about, he commented. Karthik noted that Kohli handled the ups and downs of the game by staying composed and focusing when it really mattered.
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden also heaped praise on Kohli, saying his recent play is like a new version of himself, calling it Kohli 2.0. He explained that the total of 175 was a great fit for Kohli, especially on that surface. With a partner like Phil Salt, who can keep up the pace, Kohli shines. He’s really picked up where he left off with KKR, said Hayden. He added that Kohli was particularly effective in the middle overs, maintaining a high strike rate that was essential for the team’s success.
