New Delhi, January 7 : Indian cricketer KL Rahul will not feature for Karnataka in the knockout stage of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scheduled to take place in Vadodara. The decision comes after Rahul played all five Tests against Australia in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and he is now set to take a well-deserved break.
The Karnataka team will miss Rahul’s presence in their crucial quarter-final clash on Saturday in Vadodara. A decision regarding Rahul’s participation in the second phase of the Ranji Trophy, beginning January 23, will be taken at a later stage.
Padikkal and Prasidh Krishna Available for Karnataka
Despite Rahul’s absence, Karnataka’s squad will be bolstered by the return of Devdutt Padikkal and Prasidh Krishna, both of whom were part of India’s Test team in Australia. Padikkal featured in the first Test at Perth, while Prasidh was called up for the fifth and final Test. Their inclusion is expected to strengthen Karnataka’s chances in the knockout rounds.
On the other hand, Karnataka’s pace attack has suffered a setback, as V. Vaishak has been ruled out of the knockout stage due to an injury.
Karnataka’s Squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy Knockouts
The Karnataka Cricket Association has announced a 16-member squad for the knockout rounds, with experienced opener Mayank Agarwal leading the side and Shreyas Gopal named as his deputy. Here’s the full squad:
- Mayank Agarwal (Captain)
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Nikin Jose
- K.V. Anish
- R. Smaran
- K.L. Srijit
- Abhinav Manohar
- Shreyas Gopal (Vice-Captain)
- Hardik Raj
- Prasidh Krishna
- V. Kaushik
- Vidyadhar Patil
- Abhilash Shetty
- Praveen Dubey
- Lavnith Sisodia
- Yashovardhan Parantap
Key Players to Watch
- Mayank Agarwal – The skipper will play a crucial role at the top of the order. His experience and leadership will be vital in steering the team through high-pressure games.
- Devdutt Padikkal – After a stint with the national Test team, Padikkal’s return to the domestic setup is highly anticipated. His form and aggressive style can be game-changers for Karnataka.
- Prasidh Krishna – Known for his pace and accuracy, Prasidh Krishna’s presence strengthens Karnataka’s bowling attack. He will be keen to make an impact after his exposure to international cricket in Australia.
- Shreyas Gopal – The vice-captain and seasoned all-rounder will play a dual role with both bat and ball. His experience in pressure situations can prove invaluable in tight matches.
Quarterfinal Clash: Karnataka vs. Vadodara
Karnataka will face Vadodara in the quarterfinals on Saturday, a match that promises to be a tough battle. With key players returning and a well-balanced squad, Karnataka will look to advance further in the tournament despite the absence of KL Rahul.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
