A Blend of Experience and Youth Under Mayank Agarwal’s Leadership, Karun Nair Returns after Two Season
As the anticipation builds for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, the 
Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has unveiled a robust 15-member squad,
Signaling a strong intent to reclaim glory in India’s premier domestic first-class competition.
With the tournament kicking off on October 15, Karnataka, placed in Elite Group B, will look to end a decade-long title drought since their last triumph in 2015.
Leading the charge is opener Mayank Agarwal, who retains the captaincy, while the squad boasts the return of seasoned campaigner Karun Nair and a mix of emerging talents.
The announcement, made on October 7, comes after a rigorous selection process from a larger 37-member probables list revealed in late September.
That initial pool included high-profile names like KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna, but with international commitments taking precedence, the final squad emphasizes domestic reliability and fresh energy.
Notably absent is veteran batter Manish Pandey, whose omission has sparked discussions about the team’s shift towards rejuvenation.
Squad Composition: Key Players and Roles
The 15-member unit strikes a balance between batting depth, all-round utility, and a potent bowling attack.
Here’s the full squad:
| Player Name | Role | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Mayank Agarwal (C) | Opener/Batter | Experienced leader; 7,000+ first-class runs; former India opener |
| Karun Nair | Middle-Order Batter | Triple centurion (303* for India); returns after captaining Vidarbha |
| R. Smaran | Batter | Promising youngster; consistent performer in recent domestic seasons |
| KL Shrijith (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Mumbai Indians prospect; agile behind the stumps |
| Shreyas Gopal | All-Rounder (Leg-spin) | 200+ first-class wickets; handy lower-order batter |
| Vyshak Vijaykumar | Pacer | India A regular; led Karnataka’s wickets in 2024-25 (highest wicket-taker) |
| Vidwath Kaverappa | Pacer | Swing specialist; key in recent victories |
| Abhilash Shetty | Off-Spinner | Emerging tweaker; economical in longer formats |
| M. Venkatesh | All-Rounder | Versatile; contributes with bat and ball |
| Nikin Jose | Batter | Solid middle-order option; adds stability |
| Abhinav Manohar | Batter | Aggressive stroke-maker; IPL experience |
| Kruthik Krishna (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Backup keeper; reliable in domestic circuits |
| KV Aneesh | Pacer | Seam bowler; adds variety to the attack |
| Mohsin Khan | Pacer | Left-arm seamer; potential game-changer |
| Shikhar Shetty | Pacer | New face; impressed in trials with raw pace |
Mayank Agarwal’s leadership brings continuity, having steered the side through a mixed 2024-25 campaign where Karnataka secured two wins and five draws, finishing fourth in Elite Group C.
His experience will be crucial in navigating a challenging Group B that includes Saurashtra (their opening opponents), Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh.
Highlights: Returns, Omissions, and New Faces
The squad’s narrative is dominated by comebacks and calculated exclusions. Karun Nair’s return is the headline act – the 33-year-old, who led Vidarbha to the 2024-25 title, rejoins his home state after a two-season stint away.
Nair’s elegant strokeplay and tactical acumen could anchor the middle order, especially with Devdutt Padikkal unavailable due to India duties.
Nair’s inclusion in the probables underscored Karnataka’s ambition to blend Test-level pedigree with domestic grit.
In a bold move, selectors have sidelined Manish Pandey, the 35-year-old stalwart whose last appearance for Karnataka was in November 2024.
Shikhar Shetty emerges as the fresh face to watch – a raw pacer who earned his spot through standout trial performances.
Joining him in the pace battery are Vyshak Vijaykumar and Vidwath Kaverappa, who formed a formidable duo last season, claiming crucial breakthroughs on seaming tracks.
Shreyas Gopal provides spin balance, his leg-breaks complemented by Abhilash Shetty’s off-spin for varied attacking options.
Wicketkeeping duties fall primarily to KL Shrijith, a Mumbai Indians recruit whose glovework and counter-attacking batting add dynamism. Kruthik Krishna serves as a capable deputy.
Group B Fixtures: A Tough Road Ahead in Ranji Trophy
Karnataka’s campaign begins with a high-stakes clash against defending champions Saurashtra in Rajkot from October 15-18 – a rematch of sorts, given Saurashtra’s recent dominance.
Subsequent fixtures include home games against Kerala and away trips to Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, testing the squad’s adaptability across conditions.
With promotion-relegation implications in the revamped format, every point will count; the bottom two teams in Elite Groups face demotion to the Plate division.
Coaching and Preparation: Building Momentum
Yere Goud returns for his second stint as head coach, bringing familiarity after guiding the side in 2024-25.
Goud, who was on India U-19 duties earlier, emphasizes a fearless approach: “We’re blending experience with hunger. The probables camp was intense, and this squad is primed to compete.”
Preparations at the KSCA’s Alur facilities have focused on red-ball resilience, with simulations against spin-heavy attacks to counter Group B rivals like Madhya Pradesh.’
The Bigger Picture: Reviving Ranji Trophy Glory
Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy legacy is storied – eight titles, including back-to-back doubles in 2013-14 and 2014-15 under luminaries like KL Rahul (in his early days) and Vinay Kumar.
Yet, the past decade has seen inconsistency, with early exits and near-misses.
This squad, under Agarwal’s steady hand, aims to harness domestic platforms for international redemption. For players like Nair and Vyshak, strong showings could fast-track national recalls.
As the first ball is bowled in Rajkot, Karnataka fans will hope this announcement marks the start of a resurgence. In the words of Agarwal: “We’re not just playing for points; we’re playing for pride.” The Ranji Trophy 2025-26 promises drama, and Karnataka is geared up to script their chapter.
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