Indian opener KL Rahul, currently touring Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has been included in Karnataka’s probables for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. Rahul opened in the first two matches of the Test series, performing commendably in the opener but faltering in the second. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s final match is scheduled from January 3 to 7, 2025, after which he may join the domestic tournament.
Alongside Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and Prasidh Krishna, also part of India’s Australian tour, have been shortlisted for Karnataka. While Padikkal batted at number three in the first Test, Prasidh has yet to feature in the playing XI. The Vijay Hazare Trophy begins on December 21, with Karnataka facing Group C opponents such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Saurashtra.
Youth Over Experience: Manish Pandey Dropped
Veteran batter Manish Pandey has been excluded from Karnataka’s squad for all formats, signaling a shift toward younger talent. J. Abhiram, chief of the Karnataka Cricket Association’s selection committee, acknowledged Pandey’s illustrious career but emphasized the importance of providing opportunities to emerging players like Prakhar Chaturvedi and KV Aneesh.
Pandey, 35, has an impressive domestic record, with 7,973 runs in 118 first-class matches, including 25 centuries, and 6,310 runs in 192 List-A games. Despite representing India in 29 ODIs and 39 T20Is, Pandey has been out of the national team for some time. His exclusion from Karnataka’s lineup underscores the team’s focus on nurturing fresh talent for the future.
Karnataka’s Probables for Vijay Hazare Trophy
The Karnataka team’s probables for the Vijay Hazare Trophy include a mix of experienced players like KL Rahul and emerging stars. Apart from Rahul, the list features Mayank Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Prasidh Krishna, among others. Promising talents like Abhinav Manohar, Shreyas Gopal, and Shubhang Hegde are also part of the squad, providing a balance of youth and experience.
Karnataka, placed in Group C, will aim to make a strong start in the tournament, which runs from December 21. Their first match will set the tone as they face competition from teams such as Puducherry, Nagaland, and Punjab.
With a blend of seasoned players and rising stars, Karnataka is poised for an exciting campaign in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
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