KL Rahul named in Karnataka squad for Ranji Trophy clash against Haryana

Indian batter KL Rahul has been included in Karnataka’s squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Haryana, scheduled to begin on January 30. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced the squad on its official website, featuring a mix of international stars and seasoned domestic players.

The team will be captained by opener Mayank Agarwal and includes international talents like Devdutt Padikkal and pacer Prasidh Krishna. Other notable players in the lineup are Abhinav Manohar, spinner Shreyas Gopal, and Vidwath Kaverappa, showcasing Karnataka’s depth in talent.

Karnataka heads into the match on the back of a dominating performance against Punjab in their previous Ranji game. Opting to bowl first, Karnataka dismissed Punjab for a mere 55 runs, with Indian star Shubman Gill managing only four.

Karnataka responded emphatically with a massive 475, powered by a double century from Ravichandran Smaran, who scored 203 off 277 balls, including 25 fours and three sixes. Despite a valiant century from Gill (102 off 171 balls, including 14 fours and three sixes) in Punjab’s second innings, they were bowled out for 213, handing Karnataka a victory by an innings and 207 runs.

Karnataka currently sits third in Group C with 19 points, having secured two wins and four losses. The team will be aiming to strengthen its position with a strong performance against Haryana.

Rahul’s inclusion comes after a commendable run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he scored 276 runs in five Tests at an average of 30.66, with two half-centuries and a best score of 84. During the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship cycle, Rahul amassed 615 runs in 11 matches at an average of 34.16, including a century and four fifties.

In first-class cricket for Karnataka, Rahul has an exceptional record, scoring 2,974 runs in 31 matches at an average of 57.19. His tally includes seven centuries, 14 fifties, and a personal best score of 337.

Karnataka squad for the match against Haryana: Mayank Agarwal (captain), KL Rahul, Shreyas Gopal (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, KV Aneesh, R Smaran, KL Shrijith (wk), Abhinav Manohar, Hardik Raj, Prasidh Krishna, Vidwath Kaverappa, Vasuki Koushik, Abhilash Shetty, Yashovardhan Parantap, Nikin Jose, Sujay Sateri (wk), Mohsin Khan.