Karthik played a pivotal role in RCB’s maiden IPL title triumph last year, providing strategic guidance and batting mentorship to the team. The 40-year-old former India wicketkeeper-batter has also been active as a commentator in marquee series and events, and was recently appointed as mentor and batting coach of London Spirit ahead of The Hundred 2026.
As T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches commenced on February 2, speculation emerged that Karthik would join the Afghanistan setup. Reacting to a tweet claiming he had been named Afghanistan’s mentor, Karthik clarified that the reports were false.
During his international career, Karthik featured in 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20Is, scoring 1,025, 1,752, and 686 runs respectively. In the IPL, he played 257 matches, amassing 4,842 runs at an average of 26.32 and a strike rate of 135.37. Known for his innovative and unorthodox shots, Karthik has the ability to unsettle bowlers and turn games with his batting ingenuity.
Afghanistan, who reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup before being ousted by South Africa, will begin their 2026 campaign in the so-called “Group of Death,” alongside India, South Africa, Canada, and New Zealand. Their first match is scheduled for Sunday, February 7, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
While Karthik is not part of the Afghanistan setup at present, his eventual involvement could significantly bolster the Rashid Khan-led side.
