Both you fossils: Dinesh Karthik's unmissable banter with Nasser Hussain, Michael Atheron

Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik has responded strongly to criticism from former England captains over India's Champions Trophy 2025 victory. He highlighted Pakistan's failure to capitalise on similar advantages at the T20 World Cup 2026, pointing to a clear skill gap.

Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik has hit back at former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain for undermining India’s Champions Trophy 2025 triumph in Dubai. Hussain and Atherton had claimed that India enjoyed an unfair advantage during their victorious run, having played all their matches at a single venue after the Indian government did not permit the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to send the team to Pakistan for the ICC tournament.

Recently, Karthik reminded the duo of their remarks, pointing out that Pakistan had a similar advantage but failed to capitalise on it at the T20 World Cup 2026, where they were eliminated at the Super 8 stage. Pakistan played all of their matches in Sri Lanka but endured a torrid campaign and were knocked out after their final Super 8 fixture against Sri Lanka.

“I expected Sri Lanka and Pakistan to do well. Sri Lanka, because of the home conditions and because they are a side that thrives on a bigger occasion. But that didn’t work out. Then I thought of Pakistan, purely because they consistently played in Colombo, stayed in one hotel and knew the same pitches — and both you ‘Fossils’ felt that was the main reason why India won the Champions Trophy,” Karthik said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.

Karthik highlighted what he felt was a clear difference in skill levels between Pakistan and India, suggesting that Pakistan were unable to make the most of favourable conditions.

“By that same logic, Pakistan should have achieved something in this World Cup. Clearly, it works for one team but not for another, so there is a genuine lack of skill there. I’ll back Pakistan to say they will fight much harder, but almost losing to Sri Lanka was extraordinary, and then you hear about that,” he added.

DK COOKED MIKE ATHERTON AND NASSER HUSSAIN OVER PAKISTAN'S WC EXIT"I expected Pak to qualify for the semis because they have played consistently in Colombo, stayed in one hotel, know the pitches well, and both you FOSSILS cried that's one of the reasons India did so well in pic.twitter.com/T4aP0k7aBU— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) March 4, 2026