Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik shared an emotional reaction to India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad through a video posted on Instagram, where he singled out Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh as the true heroes of the selection.
In the video, Karthik spoke passionately about the patience and resilience shown by the trio during difficult phases of their international careers. His heartfelt message quickly resonated with fans online, with many praising the visible joy and pride on his face as he spoke about players who have finally earned the selectors’ trust after years on the fringes.
All three Kishan, Samson and Rinku, have spent considerable time in and out of the Indian setup. Samson, the senior-most among them, has been hovering around the national side since 2022 and came close to missing out yet again after Shubman Gill was initially preferred. However, a late change by the selectors opened the door for him, a decision Karthik felt was richly deserved. He stressed how perseverance and belief helped the trio force their way back into contention.
“It is incredibly hard in life to be patient and trust that your time will come. Three boys in the current Indian World Cup team have done exactly that over the last 24 months. Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and, last but not least, Rinku Singh outstanding. They have broken the door to make a comeback in the Indian team,” Karthik said.
Karthik reserved special praise for Kishan, who had been dropped after asking for a break and was asked to return to domestic cricket to regain form. According to Karthik, Kishan responded emphatically.
“The last time Ishan Kishan played for India was in 2023. Since then, he’s been out of the side. He went back to domestic cricket and scored runs. This year, he made a hundred against Tamil Nadu and finished as the highest run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. More importantly, he delivered in big moments and helped Jharkhand win their first domestic title,” he noted.
Karthik also expressed confidence in Samson’s ability to make a strong impact at the top of the order.
“Sanju Samson has performed whenever he has been given an opportunity as an opener. Since the 2022 World Cup, he’s been waiting for his moment, and now he finally has it. We all know the class and quality he brings. He will make an impact in this World Cup,” Karthik said.
Speaking about Rinku Singh, Karthik highlighted his remarkable rise from domestic cricket to the international stage. “I’ve seen Rinku grow from an uncapped KKR player to someone who has dominated international cricket, always with a smile. He’s been a dressing-room favourite but missed out earlier due to team combinations. He was part of the 2024 World Cup squad but didn’t get a game. Now he has his opportunity. Coming from a small town, these are the real heroes young cricketers in India look up to,” he added.
Karthik concluded by expressing confidence in the balance of the squad and wishing the players well. India announced their T20 World Cup 2026 squad on December 20, with vice-captain Shubman Gill being the biggest omission following a lean run of form.
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