Brief

Dinesh Karthik defends Ishan Kishan amid India‑West Indies T20 series

Karthik says the in‑form wicket‑keeper is humble, hardworking and deserving of his place as India face West Indies.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 11 Oct 2026 09:48:23 GMT

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik defended wicket‑keeper‑batter Ishan Kishan on Sportskeeda, saying the player is often mis‑understood and deserves his spot in the side during the India‑West Indies T20 series.

What happened

Kishan, the leading run‑scorer in T20 Internationals in 2026, returned to the national team after a mental‑health break in 2023 and a strong domestic season. He scored an unbeaten 18 off 13 balls in the second T20I in his hometown Ranchi as India chased a solid total.

What the report adds

Karthik highlighted Kishan’s double‑hundred in the Duleep Trophy final, noting it boosted the player’s confidence and leadership credentials after guiding East Zone to the title. He also mentioned Kishan’s brief stint in the Test side, with his last appearance coming in the second Test of the 2023 West Indies tour.

What was said

"He played domestic cricket again in the Duleep Trophy and got that massive double hundred. So, the hunger seems to be very high, and the fact that he was a leader for Jharkhand and was able to take them to victory in a domestic tournament has given him the confidence to be the leader," Karthik told Cricbuzz, as quoted by Sportskeeda.

"People constantly mistake him for the things he wears and the way he walks and talks. But he is a very humble, down‑to‑earth, genuine kid," Karthik added.

How it came about

Kishan withdrew from the national squad in 2023 to focus on mental health, which led to his removal from the central contract list. A successful domestic comeback, highlighted by his Duleep Trophy performance, earned him a recall ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup and the ongoing series against West Indies.

Key facts

• Ishan Kishan is the leading run‑scorer in T20 Internationals in 2026. (sportskeeda.com)
• Kishan scored a double hundred in the 2026 Duleep Trophy final. (sportskeeda.com)
• He was unbeaten on 18 off 13 balls in the second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi. (sportskeeda.com)
• Dinesh Karthik said Kishan is often mis‑judged and praised his humility. (sportskeeda.com)

Sources

• [1] sportskeeda.com — originally reported as “"People constantly mistake him" - Dinesh Karthik strongly defends in-form star player amid IND vs WI 2026 T20Is”