SportsPosted at: Oct 5 2026 8:36PM


KL Rahul set for Karnataka Ranji opener

Bengaluru, Oct 5 (UNI) India’s Test plans are already reshaping the domestic calendar, with KL Rahul set to turn out for Karnataka in their Ranji Trophy opener against Andhra in Vijayawada on October 11 as the BCCI looks to ensure its red-ball regulars get match practice ahead of the two-Test series in New Zealand.
Rahul’s presence gives Karnataka a major boost at the start of their campaign and adds experience to an imposing top order featuring Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair and R Smaran.
The move assumes added significance with India’s next Test assignment in New Zealand looming, making the Ranji opener an important opportunity for Rahul to sharpen his red-ball game in competitive conditions.
Mayank, meanwhile, returns to Karnataka after a four-match County Championship stint with Durham, while Smaran enters the season high on confidence after making a strong impact for Rest of India in the Irani Cup. He scored 68 and 125 against Ranji champions Jammu and Kashmir.
Karnataka, however, could be without their designated all-format captain Devdutt Padikkal for much of the early Ranji campaign. Padikkal is currently with India A for the three-match one-day series against Australia A in Puducherry, with the final game scheduled on October 11.
Padikkal is subsequently expected to join India A's red-ball squad for the shadow tour against New Zealand A. His impressive recent run in Sri Lanka, where he scored 167, 44 and 117 while batting at No. 3, has strengthened his case for a place in India's Test squad.
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna is another uncertainty for Karnataka. He is racing to recover from a hamstring strain picked up during the recently concluded ODI series against the West Indies and his availability for the Ranji opener remains unclear.
The BCCI has also asked India all-rounder Washington Sundar to play Tamil Nadu's Ranji opener against Rajasthan in Jaipur after he was withdrawn from the T20I squad against the West Indies to gain red-ball game time.
With several Test hopefuls being pushed back into domestic cricket, the opening round of the Ranji Trophy has acquired added importance as India begins its preparation for the New Zealand challenge.
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Tags: #KL Rahul set for Karnataka Ranji opener
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