The inspiring speech Dinesh Karthik delivered in the dressing room set up RCB for playoff success

Batting coach Dinesh Karthik reminded the players that their ultimate objective still remains after Jitesh Sharma’s spectacular performance helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeat the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets, guaranteeing their spot in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025. With the resounding victory in Lucknow, RCB also created history by becoming the first IPL team to win all seven away games in a single season.

Karthik emphasized that while reaching the playoffs and finishing second on the points table is a commendable feat, the team must remain focused on their larger ambition. He encouraged every player to believe they can step up just like Jitesh did and stressed the importance of self-belief and unity on match day. His message, shared on RCB’s official social media platforms, was clear: “This year, we’ve not just made it to the playoffs, we’ve secured second place. But most importantly, everyone here knows there’s a greater goal ahead. To achieve that, staying composed is key. Anyone among the playing 12 has the potential to deliver a match-winning performance. It’s about believing you’re that person when game day comes. Just remember – the big prize is still in front of us. Let’s make it happen this time.”

As the squad prepares to meet table-toppers Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur on Thursday, RCB’s Director of Cricket Mo Bobat highlighted the club’s significant achievements to date and stressed the value of keeping a positive outlook.

He noted that RCB’s flawless record on the road – seven away wins out of seven – along with registering their highest successful chase and the third-highest chase in IPL history, are remarkable accomplishments. “These are the kind of feats that championship-winning teams pull off – special moments, record-breaking performances. We’ve ticked off many such goals, and securing a top-two finish is among them, something we set out to achieve weeks ago.”

However, Bobat was quick to remind the squad that these successes are only stepping stones to their bigger mission. “While we should take pride in what we’ve achieved so far, the journey isn’t over. In fact, we are heading into what could be the most enjoyable, most thrilling, and most crucial week of the season. Keeping the right mindset will be absolutely vital as we move forward,” he concluded.