Ranji Trophy | Karun Nair to lead Karnataka as V Koushik receives maiden call-up
The Karnataka State Cricket Association have announced the team for their Ranji opener against Tamil Nadu and the team will be led by Karun Nair. David Mathias has received a call-up to the squad after a three-year gap while V Koushik secured his first Ranji Trophy call-up after an impressive SMAT.
After annexing the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 titles this season, Karnataka are eyeing for a treble and their campaign will begin with a tie against arch-rivals Tamil Nadu, whom they beat in both 50-over and 20-over finals to claim the title. The team has the likes of Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Devdutt Padikkal in the mix to give experienced hands to the junior players like Sharath Srinivas and Dev Nishcal.
The last year's semi-finalists will be playing without the services of Abhimanyu Mithun and Prasidh Krishna but the four-pronged bowling attack will be led by Ronit More with V Koushik. KS Devaiah got his maiden first-class call-up and with the return of David Mathias, the team has a decent bowling attack of their own.Â
Sharath BR and Sharath Srinivas are the two wicket-keepers in the side but spin-bowling is going to be the team's stronger suit with the likes of Gowtham K, Shreyas Gopal (VC), Suchith J being the other three spinners in the side.
Karnataka squad: Karun Nair (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal, Nischal D, Samarth R, Pavan Deshpande, Gowtham K, Shreyas Gopal (VC), Suchith J, Sharath BR, Sharath Srinivas (both WK), Ronit More, David Mathias, Koushik V, KS Devaiah.
