T20 World Cup 2026: Sonavale hopes his Oman switch is a hit!
Updated On: 03 January, 2026 10:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Mumbai boy and No. 3 batter Karan, 31, who moved to Middle East to play on the international stage, is excited to showcase his talent at upcoming T20 World Cup
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Oman’s Karan Sonavale. Pic/Sonavale’s personal collection
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A few years ago, Vikhroli-based batting all-rounder Karan Sonavale, 31, was aspiring to play for Mumbai. Presently, he is gearing up for the biggest stage — representing Oman at the upcoming T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting on February 7.
Sonavale was part of the Mumbai U-19 and U-23 probables in 2013 and 2017 respectively. “I performed well for Parel Sporting SC, MIG CC and ICICI Bank, but missed out on the Mumbai cap somehow. In 2017 and 2018, I represented Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University in an inter-university cricket tournament. Thereafter, I decided to try other options, and in 2020 I contacted former Oman cricketer Vaibhav Wategaonkar, who helped me join the Al Turky team in Oman. It was a tough call as I had to stay away from my family; even the number of matches I got was quite less, but those three-four years were challenging. Slowly, I started aiming to be a part of the Oman national team and eventually made it. Though I’m not playing for India, I’m excited to play in the T20 World Cup and want to give my best,” Sonavale told mid-day from Muscat on Thursday.
Sonavale has represented Oman in three ODIs and four T20Is, but was unlucky to miss out on the recent Asia Cup. A hamstring injury kept him away from the continental event which was won by the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team that beat Pakistan in the final at Dubai on September 28. When asked how challenging it will be when Oman face prominent teams like Australia and Sri Lanka or even Ireland and Zimbabwe for the matter, he replied: “It’s challenging, but I’m not thinking about who are the big players in the opposing team. I’m just concentrating on my process. My mindset is clear. I want to play every ball on merit.”
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