Ex-India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has joined Sharjah Warriorz for the next edition of the ILT20 in the UAE. Karthik replaces Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis in the franchise, a day before the ILT20’s first player auction on October 1. It is a major update for both Sharjah Warriorz and Karthik as they look to get ready for the much-awaited tournament.
Karthik’s Excitement to Join Sharjah Warriorz
The 40-year-old Karthik showed his excitement in a statement, saying that he is excited to be playing with the Warriorz team. “Sharjah is one of those legendary stadiums one always wishes to play at. And to be part of the franchise Sharjah Warriorz makes a dream come true,” said Karthik. Famous for his T20 skills, he is eager to play for a young team with ambitions to leave their mark in the tournament.
Karthik’s Contribution to Sharjah Warriorz
At Sharjah Warriorz, Karthik will also meet Tim David, his old colleague from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). During IPL 2025, Karthik worked as a mentor and batting coach for RCB and helped David achieve new successes. This combination might unlock some thrilling prospects for Warriorz during the next season of ILT20.
JP Duminy Finds Karthik’s Experience Welcomed
JP Duminy, Sharjah Warriorz’s head coach, gave Karthik a warm welcome, appreciating his vast experience in T20 cricket. “Dinesh Karthik is among the most experienced hands and a very innovative mind in T20 cricket.
His explosive batting, charismatic personality, and vast experience will certainly help the young players throughout the tournament,” Duminy stated. His presence in the team will definitely give a boost to Warriorz’s performance in the ILT20 2025 season.
Read More
Karthik’s Franchise Cricket Adventure
This will be Karthik’s fourth season as a player in international franchise leagues after his international cricket retirement in June 2024. Prior to the ILT20, Karthik played for various franchises, such as Bangla Tigers in the 2024 Abu Dhabi T10, Southern Superstars in the 2024 Legends League, and Paarl Royals in the 2025 SA20.
His experience across different leagues has turned him into an experienced T20 player, further enhancing his contribution with Sharjah Warriorz.
Karthik’s Outstanding T20 Career Stats
With more than 412 T20 games to his credit, Karthik has scored 7537 runs with an excellent average of 27.01 and a strike rate of 136.66. His reliability in domestic competitions such as the IPL, where he represented several teams, including being the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has made him one of the most reliable T20 cricketers in the world. His availability in the IPL for so long, only missing two games over 17 years, is testimony to his fitness and flexibility.
Read More
Scope for Reunion with R. Ashwin and Other Key Players
The Sharjah Warriorz switch by Karthik may bring about interesting contests against former colleagues. R. Ashwin, his veteran India and Tamil Nadu partner, for instance, has gone into the ILT20 auction with a steep base price.
The opportunity to play with or against Ashwin in the tournament is an added dimension to the contest. Secondarily, Piyush Chawla, yet another former India cricketer, is also part of the auction roster, which will further heat up the competition.
ILT20 Auction Dynamics: Mendis and Shanaka Opt Out
In a connected development, Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis has opted out of the ILT20 owing to the conflict with the LPL 2025. Alongside Mendis, all-rounder Dasun Shanaka too has opted out. With this opting out, the doors were opened for fresh replacements, and one such name on that list is Dinesh Karthik, who is likely to have a major impact in the tournament playing for Sharjah Warriorz.
ALSO READ: PAK vs SA: Pakistan Name Spin-Heavy Squad, Recall Shaheen Afridi For South Africa Series
