Former Team India keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik picked the top five T20 batters during a Cricbuzz discussion. There was only one rule in the discussion. Players should be active in international cricket.

Dinesh Karthik, batting coach and mentor of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), named three RCB cricketers in his five picks. Former Team India and RCB skipper Virat Kohli was obviously there in Karthik's top five favorites.

Dinesh Karthik starts his list with Virat Kohli

According to Dinesh Karthik, there was no brainer to name Virat Kohli in the list of five, only because of his batting abilities and all the achievements which he has claimed throughout his career, which spans about two decades.

"Let me start with my favorite, and I think it's fair to say he's been the greatest T20 batter of all time now. Virat Kohli, what he's established over 20 years in international cricket and the IPL, there's nobody even close to him, I feel. So let's start with Virat Kohli. That's a no-brainer there," Karthik mentioned.

After that, for the number two spot, the former cricketer named England's white-ball captain Harry Brook, who has been scoring runs constantly for England across all three formats. According to Karthik, Brook is probably the batter with the best purple patch.

"Number two is a personal favorite of mine, who's batting probably in the best, most purple of purple patches in T20 cricket. He is taking England to a very strong position in T20 cricket purely with his theatrics with the bat and the confidence that he shows. He's probably the number one all-format player for me in the world as well. But in T20 cricket as well, he makes it to my top five list: Harry Brook," Karthik expressed.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar in Dinesh Karthik's 'top 5'

Rajat Patidar also made his way into the list. Dinesh Karthik mentioned that he was impressed with the RCB captain's range of shots against pacers and spinners and the ability to change the color of a match with his bat.

"The consistency with which he's churning out runs for RCB, being the captain, the range of shots that he has against pace and spin, and his ability to take a game away within a couple of overs—I haven't seen too many players with that kind of talent. I have enjoyed playing with him, but I'm enjoying even more working with him and having him in my corner: Rajat Patidar," he continued.

Experienced England keeper-batter Jos Buttler was the fourth entry in the list. Karthik added him to the list because of his consistent performance for England and in the Indian Premier League.

"At number four, I think he is probably England's best white-ball batter ever, and he is so consistent. He is phenomenally good and very consistent in the IPL. He played for Rajasthan Royals, has a great record, and has gone to Gujarat Titans, where both years he's been fantastic. So, Jos Buttler, one of the most talented batters going around in world cricket," said Dinesh Karthik.

Tim David is also in the list

For the last spot, Karthik chose another RCB cricketer, Tim David. Tim David was in the list because of his exceptional hitting skills and a lot of potential.

"Pure power. He's scary when he gets going, and he's won games for most teams that he's played for around the world. He's somebody who has very easy power, long levers, and I feel his potential is a lot more than what he's giving any team that he's playing for right now. Tim David, purely because of the consistency with which he can hit pace and spin," the former cricketer concluded.

Who are the Top 5 T20 batters? @DineshKarthik & @ajinkyarahane88 list them down Drop your picks in the comments https://t.co/rttFq2oPm6

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 16, 2026

Top 5 T20 batters according to Dinesh Karthik:

Virat Kohli, Harry Brook, Rajat Patidar, Jos Buttler, and Tim David.