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Dinesh Karthik set for ILT20 debut, joins Sharjah Warriorz as Kusal Mendis' replacement

Aakash Saini

Dinesh Karthik [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @CricCrazyJohns/x]Dinesh Karthik [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @CricCrazyJohns/x]

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik is set to make his International League T20 (ILT20) debut early next year through the upcoming ILT20 2026 season in the UAE. The 40-year-old has been recruited by the Sharjah Warriorz franchise as a replacement player.

The cricketer-turned-commentator will be replacing Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis. Karthik’s stint in ILT20 will mark his second overseas T20 league appearance after participating in the South Africa-based SA20 season earlier this year for the Paarl Royals.

Dinesh Karthik expands his T20 portfolio with ILT20

Dinesh Karthik is set to light up the ILT20 2026 season with his presence, as he was roped in by the Sharjah Warriorz franchise as a replacement for wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis. Expressing his excitement in joining the league and making his tournament debut, Karthik said that to be a part of the Sharjah Warriorz franchise makes a “dream come true”.

He also praised the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, where the Warriorz franchise play a majority of their ILT20 matches.

Earlier this year, Dinesh Karthik was part of the Paarl Royals group in SA20 2025 in South Africa. In his eight innings of the tournament, the explosive middle-order batter tallied 130 runs at a strike rate of 121.49.

As of now, the former Indian stumper and 2007 T20 World Cup winner is also a part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise as their batting coach and mentor. With Karthik working alongside head coach Andy Flower, the RCB won the IPL 2025 season a couple of months ago to lift their maiden silverware.

Notably, Dinesh Karthik might also get joined by fellow former Indian cricketer and ex-national teammate Ravichandran Ashwin. The legendary all-rounder and off-spinner has already registered his name for the ILT20 2026 auction after confirming his retirement from IPL cricket.