Dinesh Karthik Names Top 5 T20 Batters, Picks Three Royal Challengers Bengaluru Stars

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has selected his five leading active T20 batters, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players accounting for three places on his list. Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Tim David feature alongside England’s Harry Brook and Jos Buttler, reflecting Karthik’s appreciation for a mix of consistency, versatility and explosive hitting.

Karthik, who works as RCB’s batting coach and mentor, shared his choices during a discussion about the leading batters in the shortest format. His selection stands out because it includes two players associated with RCB’s recent success and the franchise’s current captain, Patidar.

The list also leaves out several prominent names, including India’s Abhishek Sharma, whose aggressive approach has made him one of the most talked-about T20 batters.

Virat Kohli Leads Karthik’s Selection

Karthik placed Kohli at the top of his five-player list, pointing to the batter’s achievements across nearly two decades of international cricket and the Indian Premier League.

Kohli’s reputation has been built on his ability to adapt to different match situations. While he is known for building innings and maintaining control during run chases, he has also demonstrated the ability to accelerate when the situation demands it.

The former India wicketkeeper has shared dressing rooms with Kohli and worked alongside him at RCB. His first-hand experience of the batter’s approach appears to have influenced his assessment.

Kohli’s inclusion also highlights the value Karthik places on sustained performance rather than judging a player solely by recent form or individual innings.

Harry Brook Earns Second Place

England batter Harry Brook occupies the second position. Karthik praised Brook’s confidence and current form, describing him as one of the leading players across formats.

Brook has developed a reputation for attacking bowling with a wide range of shots. His ability to change the pace of an innings makes him a valuable option in T20 cricket, where batters often have little time to settle.

Karthik’s selection indicates that he values Brook’s ability to combine attacking intent with consistency. The England international’s place on the list also gives it an international dimension beyond the Indian Premier League.

Rajat Patidar Receives Strong Backing

RCB captain Rajat Patidar is Karthik’s third choice. The former cricketer highlighted Patidar’s consistency, range of strokes and capacity to change a match within a short period.

Patidar enjoyed an impressive IPL 2026 campaign, scoring 501 runs at an average of 41.75 and a strike rate of 192.69. Those figures underlined his effectiveness as an attacking middle-order batter.

Despite having limited opportunities at international level, Patidar has established himself as an important figure in RCB’s batting lineup. Karthik’s selection reflects his confidence in the captain’s ability to perform against both pace and spin.

For Patidar, the recognition is another indication of how highly his performances in franchise cricket are regarded.

Jos Buttler and Tim David Complete the Top Five

England’s Jos Buttler takes fourth place. Karthik praised Buttler’s consistency and standing as a white-ball batter. His experience across international cricket and franchise leagues has made him one of the established names in T20 batting.

Tim David rounds out the selection at number five. The Australian is known for his power-hitting, particularly during the closing overs of an innings. Karthik highlighted his ability to strike both pace and spin, making him a dangerous option when a team needs quick runs.

David also played an important role in RCB’s IPL 2026 campaign, scoring 305 runs at a strike rate of 188.27.

Karthik’s final list brings together established international performers and a rising Indian captain. Although opinions on the best T20 batters will differ, his choices emphasise three qualities: sustained output, adaptability and the ability to shift a match’s momentum quickly.