Ranji Trophy: Karnataka pick rookie paceman Prasidh Krishna for opener; KL Rahul ruled out

Bengaluru, Sep 26: Reigning champions Karnataka today picked rookie paceman Prasidh M Krishna for their Ranji Trophy season-opening match against Assam in Guwahati from October 1 to 4. However, opener KL Rahul will miss the tie as he has still not recovered from a hamstring injury, which kept him out of the entire Karnataka Premier League (KPL).

Prasidh Krishna interview

Krishna, the 19-year-old right-arm fast bowler, made an impressive first-class debut this week when he took 6 wickets for the state team against Bangladesh A in Mysuru.

File photo: Karnataka captain poses with the Ranji Trophy after winning the final in March this year

"State Senior Selection Committee Chairman R Sudhakar Rao spoke to Indian Team Physio regarding KL Rahul's fitness. He is not yet fit," a media release from Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) said on Saturday (September 26).

Also named in the 15-man squad is 21-year-old left-arm spinner J Suchith, who too had a superb first-class debut against Bangladesh A. He dismissed 7 batsmen as Karnataka won by 4 wickets.

Karnataka have won Ranji Trophy for 2 successive years under the leadership of R Vinay Kumar. The right-arm paceman was again handed the reins of the side.

Wicketkeeper-batsman CM Gautam will be Vinay's deputy. 21-year-old batsman Abhishek Reddy, who made his first-class debut in March this year against Rest of India is also included. Regulars Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, Abhimanyu Mithun, HS Sharath are also in.

Karnataka squad for opening match: R Vinay Kumar (captain), CM Gautam (vice-captain and wicketkeeper), Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, R Samarth, Abhishek Reddy, Shreyas Gopal, Udit Patel, Abhimanyu Mithun, HS Sharath, J Suchith, Shishir Bhavane, Mayank Agarwal, Prasidh M Krishna.

Batting coach: J Arun Kumar. Bowling coach: Mansur Ali Khan. Manager: B Siddaramu. Physio: Shravan. Trainer: Prashanth Pujara. Video analyst: M Srinivas. Masseur: Athanu Ghosh. Logistic manager: A Ramesh Rao.

Karnataka's schedule for Ranji Trophy 2015-16 season (Group A)

October 1 to 4: Vs Assam in Guwahati

October 8 to 11: Vs Bengal in Bengaluru

October 15 to 18: Vs Vidarbha in Bengaluru

October 22 to 25: Vs Haryana in Mysuru

October 30 to November 2: Vs Rajasthan in Jaipur

November 7 to 10: Vs Odisha in Mysuru

November 23 to 26: Vs Delhi in Hubballi

December 1 to 4: Vs Maharashtra in Pune

OneIndia News