Dinesh Karthik calls out English cricket legends with brutal truth, claims 'England finding a way to hate IPL'

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik called out English cricket legends over their remarks against the Indian Premier League (IPL) and claimed that the world's richest league faces unfair criticism from England, where there is a hatred for the competition. Karthik's comments came after Alastair Cook's repeated demands for Jacob Bethell to leave Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) camp during the 2026 IPL and play County cricket in England.

For those unversed, Karthik is currently the batting coach and mentor of RCB. He came face-to-face with Cook alongside the director of cricket of the franchise, Mo Bobat, on The Overlap Cricket's Stick to Cricket podcast, which also has David Lloyd and Michael Vaughan.

'Bumble (Lloyd) said it is not on the player, but sadly the player feels the heat. It is the truth, and in England it is getting to a point for some reason where they hate the IPL. I think it can be unfair. I know it is not watched in this part of the world, but players do enjoy playing the tournament. If you do ask the players, they do have a good time and they get better," said Karthik.

On the issue with Bethell, the former Indian cricketer claimed that once a player has put his name in the auction, he has to stay with the team and he cannot dishonour the contract just because he is not part of the starting XI.

"Interesting one. You say he is just sitting there just warming the bench. He has a contract with RCB, which he has chosen to be part of. How do you dishonour that contract because you are sitting on the bench? If every player starts doing it, you drop me, and I am going home. What do we do? You take a decision: 'Phil Salt is there; I am going to play. I am heading home.' Say it not before the season but before the auction. If you're there, decide to play," Karthik stated.

In response Cook pointed out that Bethell struggled for runs in the first two Test matches against New Zealand; Karthik questioned if that was because of the IPL.

Alongside the RCB, both Bobat and Karthik also take up the same roles in England's 'The Hundred' league for the London Spirits. Andy Flower is the head coach of both the Bengaluru and London-based franchises.