‘He’s made for the big moments’ - Dinesh Karthik on what sets Virat Kohli apart

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik recently shared his perspective on Virat Kohli, offering a grounded and deeply personal insight into the man beyond the glare of international cricket. Having spent several years alongside Kohli in the Indian dressing room as well as at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Karthik reflected on a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and shared battles at the highest level.

Rather than dwelling on statistics or accolades, Karthik focused on Kohli’s personality, his response to pressure, and the mindset that has defined his long and demanding career. The veteran wicketkeeper highlighted how Kohli effortlessly balances his fierce on-field intensity with a relaxed, approachable demeanor off the field.

“He’s a fierce competitor but a fun-loving guy outside of it. He’s just a normal human being like any one of us. It’s just that he is an extraordinary world champion batter. That’s one side of him. The other side of him is a normal human being who is from Delhi who cracks those jokes like any Delhiite would. A great family man and I have immense respect for him and I’ve always had a very good healthy respectful relationship with him all through,” said Karthik on the Beard Before Wicket podcast.

Karthik also highlighted that their bond was never about seniority, but about the way they carried themselves through different phases of their careers, embracing both the highs and navigating the difficult moments with the same honesty and commitment.

“Yes, I’m a bit older than him. But it’s not the age difference that has earned me the respect we have in the relationship. It’s just how we have treated one another over a period of time and we’ve seen some proper ups and proper lows as well. And I think what I see in him is the boy that I see when I met him for the first time and I have loved his growth in the sport,” said Karthik.

According to Karthik, Kohli’s defining quality has always been his willingness, even eagerness, to shoulder responsibility when the stakes are highest, a trait that sets him apart from most elite athletes.

“I think he is a man who is made for the big moments because he wants it more than anybody else. There are people who when the big moment comes, they’re like, ‘Oh, what do I do?’ And he before the start of the game wants that moment to be his,” said Karthik.