There are many roles that Dinesh Karthik has donned over his over two-decades-long career. And in the final years of his active playing days, he also emerged as a dependable and interesting voice in the commentary box, rubbing shoulders with legends like Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain.

Now, Dinesh Karthik’s post-retirement journey as a mentor and batting coach has been nothing short of transformative, especially in his efforts to guide Jitesh Sharma through IPL 2025. Karthik's transition from an iconic finisher for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a nurturing coach reflects his deep understanding of the game and ability to inspire emerging talents.

It is said that Karthik identified areas in Jitesh Sharma’s batting that needed improvement, particularly his ability to adapt to high-pressure situations and play innovative shots. During off-season high-performance camps, Karthik worked meticulously with Jitesh on mastering the '360-degree' style of batting — an approach that enables players to hit the ball all around the park. He emphasised timing and placement over brute force, ensuring Jitesh could maximize scoring opportunities in tight match scenarios.

Under Karthik’s mentorship, Jitesh has blossomed this season, delivering standout performances with a strike rate exceeding 180. His contributions as a finisher have been instrumental in RCB’s victories, earning praise from teammates and analysts alike.

Karthik, who himself benefitted a lot under the mental guidance of Abhishek Nayar in his playing days, is also extending his help beyond the technicalities of the game. He focused on building Jitesh’s mental resilience, helping him cope with the ups and downs of competitive cricket. Drawing from his own experiences as a finisher, Karthik shared insights on maintaining composure under pressure and executing clutch performances during the death overs.

As someone who excelled in a similar role for RCB, Karthik became a role model for Jitesh. His legacy as a dependable finisher serves as a blueprint for the younger player. Jitesh often describes his style as being shaped by Karthik’s influence, adopting many of the strategies and techniques that made Karthik one of IPL’s most reliable finishers.

Jitesh acknowledged this transformation, saying, "it’s been a great journey till now because in the off-season, I really worked hard with him. I think whichever shot I am playing right now is a replica of what he used to play. He is trying to create a new player in me."

Jitesh also highlighted how Karthik identified gaps in his batting and worked on them, adding, "He saw how I try to dominate. I do not have the craze to take out runs, but I have the craze to win the match. I like that a lot. So, I think he found out that there are some shots that I am lacking and started working on that."

Jitesh also talked about his sub-par performance last year. "I think last year’s performance was my mental thing. I was not mentally in the game at that moment. I was thinking about the future. But when I met Dinesh bhai, he told me that it’s a human error. It’s not rocket science. It does happen to everyone, so it’s fine."

This reassurance helped Jitesh regain his confidence and focus on the present.

It is not just Jitesh, even RCB captain Rajat Patidar cannot stop gushing about DK's role in 'geeing' them up. Karthik’s coaching role highlights his ability to not only adapt to life beyond playing cricket but also to make a meaningful impact on the next generation. His focus on holistic player development — technical, mental, and strategic — sets him apart as a coach who understands the modern demands of T20 cricket.