The former Indian wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik’s post-playing career has taken another big step. After easing into coaching during the IPL, the former India wicketkeeper-batter is now heading overseas for the first time in a support role, joining London Spirit as mentor and batting coach for the 2026 Hundred season.
It’s a move that has RCB written all over it. London Spirit’s director of cricket, Mo Bobat, and head coach, Andy Flower, leaned heavily on Karthik during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning run in 2025. They clearly liked what they saw. Now they’ve brought him to Lord’s, confident that the sense of clarity and calm he brought to RCB’s batting unit will translate well into the 100-ball format too.
Bobat was full of praise in his announcement. He called Karthik “a truly original thinker” and pointed to the depth of his experience across the IPL and international cricket. But what stood out most was his emphasis on the intangibles – DK’s energy, his easy communication style and the enthusiasm he brings into a dressing room.
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“It’s a pleasure to welcome DK to London Spirit,” Bobat said. “He is an original thinker with vast experience in short-format cricket. His energy and enthusiasm lift everyone around him, and bringing in someone of his stature shows the level of support we want to provide our players.”
For Karthik, the gig carries a bit of nostalgia. Lord’s is where he made his India debut and also where he played his final Test. He didn’t hide the fact that spending a summer working there feels special. He also spoke highly of the ambition shown by the MCC and Spirit’s ownership group, which made the decision to commit to the 2026 season an easy one.
“What an exciting time to be joining London Spirit,” he said. “The plans and ambition shared by Mo, MCC and the Tech Titans immediately stood out to me. Spending an English summer at Lord’s is a dream come true. I’m looking forward to the squad coming together and working with some exceptional cricketers next year.”
London Spirit will hope this blend of familiarity and fresh thinking finally pushes them over the line. Despite having a solid squad over the years, they’re yet to reach a Hundred final. With experienced names like David Warner, Kane Williamson, Jamie Smith, Ashton Turner and Jamie Overton, the pieces are there and now they’ve added someone who knows a thing or two about guiding a group through high-pressure tournaments.
