Bengaluru, April 2 (NationPress) Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, now serving as a batting coach for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, shared insights about his responsibilities. He emphasized that his primary task is to grasp the unique requirements of each player and equip them for challenging match scenarios.

His impact was clear as the team began their 2026 IPL journey by achieving the fastest 200-plus chase in IPL history, overcoming Sunrisers Hyderabad in a mere 15.4 overs, a testament to the team's robust preparation and adept performance under pressure.

“In our squad, we have players at various stages of their careers. Each player is keen to learn, and my role is to identify what each individual requires while ultimately readying them for match situations. The positions they bat in and the challenges they encounter differ significantly. For instance, a player like Phil Salt frequently confronts a swinging new ball, while Romario Shepherd rarely faces that issue at the same stage,” Karthik explained.

“Thus, it’s about aiding them in recognizing those scenarios, the positions to adopt, what to focus on, and then providing feedback based on observations. Coaching involves understanding the individual just as much as it does the skill,” he remarked, reflecting on his coaching philosophy.

Karthik draws from his playing and broadcasting experiences, stressing the significance of clarity, brevity, and trust to assist players in making informed decisions under pressure.

“These are elite athletes who already excel in world cricket, so overcoaching is unnecessary. It’s about offering the right insights and trusting them to make optimal decisions. My broadcasting experience has proven invaluable; traveling, closely observing different teams and players, and analyzing their strengths and weaknesses has enriched my coaching,” Karthik added.

This season, RCB’s batting lineup has exhibited consistent structure and adaptability through various phases. A vital aspect of Karthik’s role has been tailoring preparations for each player, enabling them to anticipate and respond to specific match situations.

“Tim David is focusing on particular scenarios that bowlers may target against him. It begins with understanding his strengths; being a tall player with a diverse range, we strategize to position him for executing specific shots effectively,” Karthik noted.

“We aim to replicate match scenarios in practice, identifying the shots he is most comfortable executing and the areas for improvement. Then we design drills tailored to those needs,” Karthik concluded.