Karnataka have appointed Devdutt Padikkal as their new captain ahead of their crucial Ranji Trophy 2025–26 clash against Punjab, scheduled to be played at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali from February 1. Padikkal replaces Mayank Agarwal, who will continue in the side as a specialist batter, as Karnataka push for a place in the knockout stage.
KL Rahul returns as Karnataka chase a must-win victory
KL Rahul has returned to the Karnataka squad for the high-stakes encounter. Currently placed third in Elite Group B, Karnataka need a win to stay in contention for qualification. Padikkal’s elevation comes on the back of a prolific Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, where he piled up 725 runs in nine innings at an average of 90.62 to finish as the second-highest run-getter in the tournament. Despite enduring a difficult previous Ranji outing in which he registered two ducks, Padikkal’s recent domestic form proved decisive in the leadership call.
Rahul’s inclusion is particularly significant given his limited Ranji appearances in recent years. Since 2018, the India batter has featured in only two Ranji matches, the most recent coming against Haryana in January 2025. Fresh from international duty, where he impressed in the ODI series against New Zealand, Rahul is expected to lend experience and stability to a batting line-up that also includes Agarwal, Aneesh KV, Smaran R and Shreyas Gopal.
The leadership change comes amid broader administrative shifts in Karnataka cricket. The Karnataka State Cricket Association recently elected former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad as president and installed a new selection committee led by Amit Verma, developments that have influenced the team selection for this decisive fixture.
On the bowling front, Prasidh Krishna is set to make his first appearance of the season and will spearhead Karnataka’s pace attack. His return bolsters a unit comprising Vidwath Kaverappa, Mohsin Khan, Vidyadhar Patil and Dhruv Prabhakar, with Shikhar Shetty adding further depth.
Middle-order batter Abhinav Manohar has been left out, while senior batter Karun Nair has been ruled out due to injury after sustaining a split webbing in the previous match. Nair is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
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Karnataka’s batting has been inconsistent this season. Agarwal has scored 298 runs from nine innings at an average of 33.11, including a century and two half-centuries, while Padikkal’s only Ranji appearance this season yielded scores of 96 and 15. Smaran R returns from injury, but in Nair’s absence, added responsibility will rest on the remaining batters.
With 21 points, Karnataka trail group leaders Maharashtra (24 points) and Madhya Pradesh (22 points). A victory against Punjab is vital to keep their qualification hopes alive, especially with Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh set to face each other in their final group game.
Karnataka squad: Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Aneesh KV, Devdutt Padikkal (captain), Smaran R, Shreyas Gopal, Kruthik Krishna (wk), Venkatesh M, Vidyadhar Patil, Vidwath Kaverappa, Prasidh M Krishna, Mohsin Khan, Shikhar Shetty, Shrijith KL (wk), Dhruv Prabhakar.
