Karun Nair‘s return to his home team after playing for Vidarbha for a few seasons is the biggest story, though. The Karnataka team for the forthcoming opening round of the 2025–2026 Ranji Trophy has been revealed by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Starting on October 15, this match will take place in Rajkot, Saurashtra, at the Niranjan Shah Stadium Ground B. There will be no leadership changes as explosive batsman Mayank Agarwal will lead the 15-man team.
Because he had to move from his native state to Vidarbha for the 2022 season, Karun Nair was notably overlooked by the KSCA selectors for a spot in the squad. The Jodhpur native took full use of this chance, scoring a tonne of runs for the victorious team in all formats, including a record-breaking performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025, when Vidarbha was defeated by Karnataka in the championship match.
After that, Karun Nair was a member of the Indian squad that travelled to the UK to play England in a five-Test series.
However, Karun Nair was once again removed from the team that is now hosting the West Indies following a string of subpar performances during his national comeback. But Karun Nair would like to use the Ranji Trophy as the ideal stage on which to declare that he is deserving of another opportunity.
KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna are not taken into account.
Regarding the Karnataka team, players like Vidwath Kaverappa, Vyshak Vijaykumar, and Shreyas Gopal have also advanced, although Prasidh Krishna and KL Rahul were unable to do so because of their obligations to the Indian side. The season’s probables include both of India’s top players. While Krishnan Shrijith is the team’s first-choice wicketkeeper, Abhinav Manohar has also been given a spot.
Mayank Agarwal (captain), Karun Nair, R Smaran, KL Shrijith (wk), Shreyas Gopal, Vyshak Vijayakumar, Vidwath Kaverappa, Abhilash Shetty, M Venkatesh, Nikin Jose, Abhinav Manohar, Kruthik Krishna (wk), KV Aneesh, Mohsin Khan, and Shikhar Shetty make up the Karnataka team for the first round of the Ranji Trophy 2025–26.
India
