[WATCH] ‘You fossils cried’ – Dinesh Karthik mocks Atherton, Hussain over ‘unfair advantage to India’ claim after Pakistan’s T20 World Cup exit

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter turned commentator Dinesh Karthik set social media alight with a hilarious dig at former England captains Atherton and Hussain during a discussion, calling them “fossils” in a moment that has now gone viral on social media. 

The jab came as Karthik dissected Pakistan’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, linking it back to comments the English duo made last year about India having an advantage during their Champions Trophy 2025 triumph in Dubai.  

Atherton and Hussain had previously suggested no change in venue and travel-free schedule in the Champions Trophy 2025 offered Men in Blue an unfair advantage over other teams. The Indian team played all their matches in Dubai, without having to travel to UAE or Pakistan.

Recalling the same comments of the duo, the former middle-order batter had a gentle attack on them, citing Pakistan’s poor performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 despite their matches being conducted in Sri Lanka. With Pakistan having played all their Super 8 matches in Colombo, staying in the same hotel and facing unchanged conditions, Karthik reminded his panel of the original logic in his own unique ways.

“I expected Pakistan to qualify for the semis because they’ve played consistently in Colombo, stayed in one hotel, knew the same pitches, and both you FOSSILS felt that was the main reason India won the Champions Trophy,” he said.

“By that same logic, Pakistan should have done something in this World Cup. Clearly, it works for one team but not for another… so there is a genuine lack of skill there,” he concluded.

Watch the clip here-

Despite their narrow win over Sri Lanka in the Super 8s, Pakistan were eliminated from the competition due to their inferior Net Run Rate compared to New Zealand. On the other hand, the Indian team will be entering their third-successive T20 World Cup semifinal. The co-hosts will take on England at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on March 5.