His influence was evident as the team started their 2026 IPL campaign by making history with the fastest 200-plus chase in the IPL, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in just 15.4 overs, an achievement that underscores the team's strong preparation and effective execution under pressure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn 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. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"So, it\u2019s 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,\u201d Karthik said, reflecting on his coaching philosophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Drawing from his playing career and broadcasting experience, Karthik highlights the importance of clarity, brevity, and trust to help players make well-informed decisions under pressure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThese are elite players who are already dominating world cricket, so you don\u2019t need to overcoach. It\u2019s about giving them the right inputs and trusting them to make the best decisions. My experience in broadcasting has been very helpful. You travel, watch different teams and players closely, and analyse both their strengths and weaknesses. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"As a commentator, you\u2019re constantly observing and breaking the game down, which helps later in coaching. It\u2019s also taught me to communicate clearly and concisely, and that really helps when working with players,\u201d Karthik added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This season, RCB\u2019s batting has shown a consistent structure and adaptability throughout different phases. A crucial part of Karthik\u2019s role has been customising preparations for each player, enabling them to foresee and react to particular match situations. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"As a commentator, you\u2019re constantly observing and breaking the game down, which helps later in coaching. It\u2019s also taught me to communicate clearly and concisely, and that really helps when working with players,\u201d Karthik added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"We try to simulate match situations in training and identify the shots he\u2019s most comfortable with and also the areas where he feels he can improve. Then it\u2019s about designing drills around that,\u201d Karthik said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n