Dinesh Karthik joins Sharjah Warriorz NEW DELHI: Sharjah Warriorz have pulled off a major coup ahead of the first-ever International League T20 (ILT20) player auction, with the signing of veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik. The 40-year-old replaces Sri Lankaâ€s Kusal Mendis in the JP Duminy-coached side, bringing with him two decades of experience and a reputation as one of the most dynamic finishers in T20 cricket.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Karthikâ€s cricketing CV speaks volumes. He was part of Indiaâ€s squads that lifted the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy, while also winning the 2013 IPL title with Mumbai Indians. More recently, he transitioned into a leadership role as batting coach for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during their triumphant IPL 2025 campaign. At RCB, he worked closely with Tim David — who now reunites with him in Sharjah colours.Known for his six-hitting ability and calmness under pressure, Karthik has played 412 T20 matches, scoring 7,437 runs at a strike rate of 136.66, with 35 fifties. For India, he featured in 60 T20Is, striking at 142.61. His arrival is expected to bolster the Sharjah Warriorz lineup, which already includes captain Tim Southee, Sikandar Raza, Johnson Charles, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and Saurabh Netravalkar.Expressing his delight, Karthik said: “I am very excited to be joining the Sharjah Warriorz team for the ILT20 tournament. I know they are a young team, aspiring to do some special things, and I am happy to be here. Sharjah is also one of those iconic stadiums one always wants to play at. And to be a part of the franchise Sharjah Warriorz, makes a dream come true.â€Head coach JP Duminy hailed the signing as a game-changer: “Dinesh Karthik is one of the most experienced hands and an incredibly innovative mind when it comes to T20 cricket, and I am chuffed to have him in our corner for the upcoming edition. His explosive batting, dynamic personality, and immense experience will surely benefit the younger players significantly during the course of the tournament.â€Sharjah Warriorz COO Kshemal Waingankar echoed the excitement: “We are elated to be welcoming on board Dinesh Karthik, one of the legends of white-ball cricket in India. His brilliant work ethic, infectious nature, and ability to score quickly will surely make the Warriorz a stronger and more dangerous outfit on the field.â€With the ILT20 Season 4 set to begin later this year, the addition of Karthik could be the spark Sharjah Warriorz need to mount a serious title challenge.
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