The camaraderie in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp is at an all-time high following their successful chase of 202 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. While the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was buzzing with Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal’s batting masterclass, a hilarious social media exchange between England star Phil Salt and team mentor Dinesh Karthik has caught the fans’ attention.
The “Mastermind” Banter
Following the 6-wicket victory on Saturday, March 28, 2026, Dinesh Karthik took to Instagram to celebrate the “perfect start” to the season. His post featured a carousel of images highlighting the heroics of Kohli, Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and debutant Jacob Duffy.
However, Salt—who pulled off a spectacular one-handed diving catch at point to dismiss a rampaging Ishan Kishan for 80—noticed his contribution was missing from the gallery. Salt quickly hopped into the comments, writing:
“Nothing for the catch mastermind? Shame.”
The comment suggests that “Mastermind” has become Karthik’s official nickname within the RCB dressing room, a sentiment echoed in the comments by teammate Tim David.
Match Highlights: Salt’s Gravity-Defying Grab
Before the Kohli-Padikkal show began, it was Salt’s brilliance in the field that changed the momentum:
- The Dismissal: SRH captain Ishan Kishan was batting on 80 off 38 balls and looked destined for a century. He attempted to guide a full toss toward the boundary, but Salt sprinted to his right and launched himself full-length to pluck the ball out of the air.
- The Chase: Despite losing Salt early in the second innings, RCB made light work of the 202-run target.
- Virat Kohli: Anchored the chase with a signature unbeaten 69 off 38.
- Devdutt Padikkal: Dazzled the home crowd with wristy flair and thunderous cuts, forming a contrasting yet lethal partnership with Kohli.