Afghanistan recently had a wonderful home series in Dubai against the touring West Indies side, where they claimed the 2-1 series victory. Under the captaincy of Rashid Khan, they reached the semifinal of the previous World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States of America before losing the penultimate clash to South Africa. For the T20 World Cup 2026,they hope to go two steps further. 

India has been a second home to Afghanistan players, who are well-experienced with the country due to playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a long time. The crowd loves them, with the bowlers and batters getting used to the conditions and the surface, which is always an advantage for these players.

See Also: Watch: Throwback to when Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron scripted India's thrilling one-wicket win vs West Indies in 2011 Cuttack ODI

Before the World Cup, Afghanistan had decided to appoint the former wicket-keeper batter and their current mentor of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Dinesh Karthik, in that same role of mentorship for the World Cup 2026.

Dinesh Karthik set to be named as Afghanistan’s mentor for T20 World Cup 2026

Afghanistan is scheduled to play their first warm-up clash of the event against Scotland at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) before staying at the same venue for their second practice clash against West Indies, which will be a rematch from the last bilateral series. Karthik will be a valuable member of the side with his knowledge of the condition.

Dinesh karthik to be announced as mentor of Afghanistan team for T20I WC 2026. pic.twitter.com/vCNmNL85GA

— ACB Xtra (@acb_190) February 2, 2026

Afghanistan will begin its campaign against New Zealand on February 08 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. They will, then, lock horns with South Africa three days later at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It will be a morning game, bringing their pacers more into the fixture.

On February 16, Afghanistan will head to the Arun Jaitley Stadium for the third group-stage encounter against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before finishing that part with the last game against Canada on February 16 in Chennai. They are capable of beating all of these four sides if they can post a decent score on the board and let the spinners work in the middle overs.

A net practice video of a former India keeper-batter started to gain notice from cricket fans ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The old video shows how Dinesh Karthik was struggling against an emerging pacer from Bihar.

The emerging pacer we are talking about is none other than Sakib Hussain, who was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) from the IPL 2026 auction for only INR 30 lakh. He was previously associated with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League. In the upcoming season, he will feature for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the video we can see Hussain in KKR's practice kit, delivering against Karthik.

The batter found it very hard to tackle the short, pacey deliveries from the right-handed bowler. Despite some promising spells in domestic cricket and in the nets, the seamer is yet to make a debut in the Indian Premier League. In the recent matches for Bihar, the pacer developed himself as a regular wicket taker for the team.

Read More: Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal spotted in pure 90s look at Reliance Foundation Event

During the previous edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, Hussain picked up wickets for Bihar in most of their matches by maintaining a good economy rate. Born in Gopalganj, Bihar, the upcoming IPL season can be the perfect stage for Sakib Hussain to make a permanent mark on a positive note. 

Watch the bowling of Sakib Hussain against Dinesh Karthik 

Shakib Hussain from Bihar giving some tough balls to DK 🧨🔥

pic.twitter.com/QFoIn3u6rR

— Bihar_se_hai (@Bihar_se_hai) January 5, 2026

Full squad of Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2026: 

Retained players 

Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aniket Verma, R. Smaran, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Kamindu Mendis, Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga, and Zeeshan Ansari.

New addictions

Salil Arora (1.50 cr), Shivang Kumar (30 L), Sakib Hussain (30 L), Onkar Tarmale (30 L), Krains Fuletra (30 L), Praful Hinge (30 L), Amit Kumar (30 L), Shivam Mvi (75 L), Liam Livingstone (13 cr), and Jack Edwards (3 cr). 

The former Indian wicket-keeper batter, Dinesh Karthik, has lauded the influence of World Cup-winning captain, MS Dhoni, on Chennai. During a recent podcast with England leg spinner, Adil Rashid, it was noted that they actually thought that Dhoni was from Chennai and not from any other city.

But it was Karthik, who informed that MS Dhoni had actually come from Ranchi, a city in Jharkhand, as he used to play for that domestic side in the past. The actual Tamil Nadu player, Dinesh Karthik, however, addressed Dhoni as the ‘breath of fresh air’ as the latter came from a small town in this country.

See Also: Watch: Should Virat Kohli play ODI World Cup 2027? Former captain's childhood coach explains

“He was like a breath of fresh air, and he was coming from a small town. (But) He is from a completely different part. He is actually from Bihar, Jharkhand, or Ranchi. And that is a completely different part of India. So, he represented Bihar at that time.” Karthik, featuring in the International League T20 (ILT20), shed light on the podcast that has gone viral on social media platforms.

Dinesh Karthik addresses MS Dhoni’s influence in Chennai

There has been a great relationship between Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which started way back in 2008 when the Yellow franchise signed the wicket-keeper batter during the first auction. The right-handed batter has been the second leading run-getter of the team with 5314 runs in 238 innings at an average of 38.23.

Watch the video here: 

MS Dhoni's influence on Chennai is so massive that International cricketers actually think he's from Chennai. pic.twitter.com/tWAAPUfgiZ

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) December 25, 2025

He also carries a clinical strike rate of 139.29 with the help of 23 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 84 runs against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2019. In the leadership department, he has won five titles for the franchise before handing over the leadership duties to Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2024.

Dhoni’s time is about to get over in the IPL, and there is always speculation on when he will say goodbye to the tournament. The Ranchi-born will feature in the next season of the IPL and may aim to make a massive difference with the bat and leadership group after a poor campaign of a wooden spoon in 2025. 

Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, an uncapped Indian batting sensation has revealed something big about Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). After the revelation, it is believed that the batter has a chance to join the IPL 2025 winning team. 

Before the upcoming Indian Premier League auction, there are multiple emerging cricketers who grabbed the attention of the Indian cricket fans. Some of them went for the trials arranged by the IPL franchises. Kartik Sharma is one of the emerging batters who creates a lot of buzz on social media platforms nowadays. 

Sharma has established himself as a prolific batting prospect who played for Rajasthan in Indian domestic cricket. 2025 has turned out as a landmark year for the batter as he performed brilliantly for Rajasthan in multiple matches. If we look at his batting stats, it is understandable why Sharma is worth an IPL contract for the upcoming season. 

Read More: Who is Aaron George who built 212-run partnership with Vaibhav Suryavanshi for India in U19 Asia Cup match?

Who is Kartik Sharma?

Kartik Sharma, a 19-year-old batter, is making headlines after an online conversation. He claimed that Dinesh Karthik, batting coach of RCB, messaged him. "My favorite franchise is RCB & I got a message from DK Sir," he said. 

In the last month, Kartik smashed a couple of centuries for the Rajasthan cricket team—120 vs Delhi and 139 vs Mumbai. These two hundred-plus runs against two big teams are proof of his batting talent. Through the domestic matches, the middle-order batter not only showed his batting techniques and resilience but also displayed his hitting abilities. Whenever he spotted a loose ball, he loved to go big. It was previously reported that Kartik was in one of RCB's trials ahead of the auction.

The former T20 World Cup winner of the Indian cricket team, Dinesh Karthik, has been named the mentor and the batting coach of the Men’s The Hundred team, London Spirit, in what is his first support-staff role with a franchise outside the Indian Premier League. Karthik recently won the IPL 2025 with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the very first time.

Karthik is a prominent broadcaster and commentator who had a similar role with the RCB side during the IPL 2026 after finishing his career in the IPL in 2024. He is also an active cricketer and is currently playing the International League T20 for the Sharjah Warriorz in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

See Also: PCB clears rape allegation to lift ban on Pakistan star ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

“It's a pleasure to welcome DK to London Spirit. He is a truly original thinker in our game, and his vast experience in short-format and franchise cricket will be invaluable to us. He's also great fun to work with and brings an infectious energy and enthusiasm to everything he does.” The Spirit director of cricket, Mo Bobat, expressed in a statement.

Dinesh Karthik named mentor and batting coach of London Spirits for The Hundred 2026

It hasn’t been a great event for the Spirits, who haven’t made it into the title round of the five-season-old The Hundred. But Karthik’s presence could end up being the turning point as they signed some exciting players- David Warner and Kane Williamson- in the last season.

“What an exciting time to be joining London Spirit. When I heard about the plans and the ambitions of Mo, MCC, and the Tech Titans, I was really enthusiastic to join. To spend the English summer working at Lord's is truly a dream come true. It is the ground where I made my debut for India, and I played my last Test match - Lord's is very close to my heart.” Karthik reckoned.

The Chennai-born has been a veteran of 414 T20s with 7554 runs in 366 innings at an average of 26.88 and a strike rate of 136.52, thanks to 35 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 97 runs.

The International League T20 returns to the UAE after just 10 months. The tournament has been moved forward by over a month because of the T20 World Cup. The new window improves player availability from Australia, South Africa, India, and other nations. Since the league starts before the Big Bash League and SA20, a few former Indian players have also joined the fourth edition.

The competition is becoming more global. Players from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are taking part for the first time. Many Australian, South African, and other overseas players, who usually play in the BBL and SA20, have chosen the ILT20 this season. A few retired Indian players have also signed up.

Dinesh Karthik, who played in the SA20 for Paarl Royals earlier this year, continues his playing career. He is also working as a coach and commentator. Karthik was signed by Sharjah Warriorz as a replacement for Kusal Mendis and was pre-signed before the auction.

Also Read -ILT20 2025-26 Live Telecast: How and Where to Watch International League T20 on TV and Online in India

Dinesh Karthik Joins Sharjah Warriorz

"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," Karthik said in a Warriorz statement.

He will be the first capped Indian player to represent the Warriorz. Before him, Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan (Dubai Capitals) and Ambati Rayudu (MI Emirates) featured in earlier seasons.

Karthik will play alongside Tim David, Sikandar Raza, Matheesha Pathirana, Mark Chapman, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tim Southee.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sharjah Warriorz (@sharjahwarriors_officialteam)

Piyush Chawla Strengthens Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Piyush Chawla was signed as a wildcard pick by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders ahead of the auction. The spinner, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders from 2014 to 2019, returns to the KKR family in a new tournament after six years. He will join former India U19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand, who now represents the USA and also plays for the Knight Riders’ MLC team.

The side will be led by Jason Holder and features big names like Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Alex Hales and Sherfane Rutherford, along with franchise stars Andre Russell and Sunil Narine.

Under the leadership of Dinesh Karthik, Team India started their Hong Kong Sixes campaign with a 2-run win (via DLS) on November 7. But the next day was disappointing as they lost three matches in a row – against UAE, Kuwait, and Nepal.

India had big players like Robin Uthappa, Priyank Panchal, Abhimanyu Mithun, Stuart Binny, Shahbaz Nadeem, Bharat Chipli, and the captain Dinesh Karthik. But the veteran players could not perform well, and the team was knocked out of the tournament.

Also Read -List of fastest players to score 1000 runs ft. Abhishek Sharma

India Suffers Heavy Defeats at Hong Kong Sixes

Saturday started badly for India as they lost 27 runs to Kuwait. India chose to bowl first but could not stop Yasin Patel. He scored 58 not out off 14 balls, including five sixes in the last over, helping Kuwait reach 106/5 in 6 overs. India struggled in reply and managed only 79/6 in 5.4 overs, despite a late 26-run cameo from Abhimanyu Mithun.

🚨 Nepal defeated India by 92 runs in the Hong Kong Sixes! 🤯🇳🇵🇮🇳#HongKongSixes pic.twitter.com/LNT87Wre1H

— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) November 8, 2025

UAE & Kuwait defeated India in Hong Kong Sixes 🔥🤯 pic.twitter.com/BpFD7pI4da

— ShahJahan (@ShahJahanba56) November 8, 2025

Things got worse when India lost to UAE by 4 wickets just hours later. Mithun (50) and Dinesh Karthik (42) helped India post 107/3, but UAE’s Khalid Shah and Saghir Khan scored 42 runs in the first two overs, and UAE chased the total comfortably, reaching 111/2 in 5.5 overs.

India’s misery continued as Nepal thrashed them by 92 runs. Nepal scored a record 137/0 in 6 overs, the highest total of the tournament, while India could score only 45 runs. It was a day to forget for the Men in Blue.

India will now face Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Will Virat Kohli retire from the One Day International format as well after the India vs Australia series? Will he play in the ICC World Cup 2027? There are multiple questions linked with Virat Kohli's future in international cricket. Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik has a clear view on that with proper explanations. The former keeper-batter explained through his latest Instagram video why Virat Kohli will be a key part for India in the next ODI World Cup. With proper stats and examples of Kohli's dedication, Karthik tried to put some light on the burning topic—Virat Kohli's possible retirement. 

In the first week of October, BCCI's chief selector was asked about Rohit Sharma and Kohli's chances to play in the upcoming World Cup. Instead of offering a clear-cut reply, Agarkar provided more ingredients to make the speculations more complex. 

"I mean, that’s the format they are playing at the moment (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma). We picked them, but as far as the 2027 World Cup is concerned. I don’t think we need to talk about it today. Obviously, with the captaincy change, that’s generally the thought," Ajit Agarkar said during a press conference. 

Read More: WATCH: More dangerous yorker than Jasprit Bumrah! Meet Eden Apple Tom who dismisses Ruturaj Gaikwad in Ranji Trophy match

Karthik, who is the mentor of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and a close one of Virat Kohli, shared that the batting maestro still has the hunger for scoring runs and rehearsed batting for 2-3 sessionsa week during the long layoff. 

Dinesh Karthik clears mystery over Virat Kohli's retirement 

"Virat is keen to play the World Cup; in London he was practicing hard during this long layoff, & I also know he was practicing cricket 2-3 sessions every week, as I was there," Karthik said. 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Dinesh Karthik (@dk00019)

Through the same video, Karthik paid a focus on some of Virat's numbers produced during the series against South Africa, where the pitch was a little bit 'spicy,' and the Champions Trophy 2025, where India emerged as the winner. According to the former cricketer, Virat Kohli was the main reason for the aggressive batting from Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and other batters of the team in the Champions Trophy 2025. 

The scorching heat of September at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi during the second Test between India and West Indies has made an effect on the Indian pacer, Mohammed Siraj, who collapsed on the floor, having been exhausted with two days’ of fielding in consecutive innings as India enforced the follow-on with the lead of 270 runs. The alarming moment came after Siraj’s six-over spell post lunch.

Siraj sent back Shai Hope in that spell. After completing the century, the right-handed batter was foxed by the short ball and got an inside edge into the stumps on the following day to get back into the dressing room for 103 runs. Siraj staggered back into the Indian dugout and slumped into the chair.

See Also: [WATCH] KL Rahul falls on ground in pain after ball hits him in box during IND vs WI 2nd Test

It prompted an immediate medical attention from the team’s medical staff. An ice packet was parked on his head and face to lower the temperature as the physiotherapist messaged his feet to relax his muscles as the commentators, Dinesh Karthik and Ian Bishopr, saw the moment.

Dinesh Karthik calls Mohammed Siraj’s message king-like treatment during IND vs WI 2nd Test

Siraj picked up two wickets in the clash. Apart from the wicket of Hope, he drew the first blood with the wicket of Tagenarine Chanderpaul. The left-handed opening batter wasn’t fully committed to the pull shot and mistimed it into the hands of the mid-wicket field.

“What we see right now is the fast bowlers being treated like kings after a hard spell. It's the same case everywhere, by the way. I just need to let viewers know that it's not just on the ground, off the field, but also in the com box. We've got to be careful when you do that with Bish. The ice (needs to be placed) straight on the head to calm him down at times. For Bish and for Siraj.” Karthik commented during the clash.

Twin centuries from Hope and John Campbell helped the visitors post 390 in the second innings which set a target of 121 runs for the Indian side, who batted to decrease the goal to 58 runs for the fifth and final day to seal the series by 2-0.  

Another Murali Vijay-Dinesh Karthik-like episode to unfold in Indian cricket? Rumors have started to float around the Indian cricket circle. A recent claim in social media has sparked the speculations. It is claimed that a former cricketer is ready to start a new chapter with one of his friend's partners. Though, in the post, none of the names are revealed. So, as of now, netizens can only speculate about the probable name of the cricket personalities. 

Murali Vijay-Dinesh Karthik controversy: 

Indian cricket fans still can remember the days when Vijay and Karthik were in the headlines for their personal reasons. Both players, who were teammates in the Tamil Nadu domestic cricket, reportedly faced tension for their personal relationships related to events involving Karthik’s then-wife, Nikitha Vanjara. Karthik and Vanjara were friends from their childhood days and tied the knot in 2007.

After about 5 years of their marriage life, during the 2012 domestic season, it was reported that Vanjara grew a close relationship with his husband's teammate Murali Vijay. Shortly after the news broke out, Dinesh Karthik and Nikitha Vanjara officially parted ways. Later, Nikitha married Murali Vijay, and the couple has since built a family together.

28 सितंबर के बाद से भारतीय क्रिकेट में एक और मुरली-कार्तिक कांड चर्चा में है। एक पूर्व क्रिकेटर जो अपने दोस्त क्रिकेटर की हमसफर के साथ नए सफर पर निकलने को तैयार हैं। सबको पता है... कुछ को नहीं पता है...#IndianCricket

— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) October 7, 2025

Read More: Watch: Emerging Australian batter training under Yuvraj Singh's father

Despite the personal fallout, both Karthik and Vijay have maintained professionalism, having shared dressing rooms for Tamil Nadu and India after the incident without any public animosity. After the divorce, Karthik moved on with his life and married Indian squash star Dipika Pallikal in 2015, and Vijay continued his career in cricket. 

After a lot of discussion and rumors in the media and among their fans, both of the international cricketers never showed disrespect to each other and maintained out-and-out professionalism to date.