Dinesh Karthik has named his greatest India T20I XI, revealing the line-up just before the Asia Cup 2025. In a video shared by Cricbuzz, the wicketkeeper-batter picked Abhishek Sharma as an opener alongside Rohit Sharma, who guided India to the 2024 T20 World Cup crown.
At number three, Karthik placed Virat Kohli, who retired from T20 internationals last year as the country’s second-highest run-scorer. Kohli ended his career with 4,188 runs from 117 innings at an average of 48.69, registering 38 half-centuries and one hundred.
The number four slot went to current captain Suryakumar Yadav. Since his debut in 2021, Suryakumar Yadav has been one of India’s most consistent performers and has already piled up 2,598 runs, making him the third-highest scorer in the format for the national side.
At No. 5, Dinesh Karthik named all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, recalling his historic achievement from the 2007 T20 World Cup, when he became the first batter in T20I history to strike six sixes in one over. At six, he chose Hardik Pandya, the all-rounder who played a crucial role in India’s victorious 2024 campaign.
MS Dhoni was named at number seven and was given the captaincy. Dhoni, who famously lifted the inaugural T20 World Cup trophy in 2007, led India in 72 matches, winning 42 of them.
To add further balance, Axar Patel was chosen at number eight. Karthik praised him as an “underrated” all-rounder and highlighted his contributions during the 2024 World Cup.
The fast-bowling department featured Jasprit Bumrah, who earned the Player of the Tournament award last year and has 89 wickets to his name. Instead of Arshdeep Singh, who sits on 99 scalps, Karthik went with veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who claimed 90 wickets in 87 appearances before playing his last T20I in 2022.
The final place was awarded to mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. The 34-year-old has been in excellent form over the past year, taking 33 wickets from 18 matches for India.
Dinesh Karthik’s all-time India T20I XI: MS Dhoni (c), Rohit Sharma,Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah.