Kamal Ghorui
BENGALURU: Karnataka rang in sweeping changes to their Ranji Trophy squad on Monday, naming Test batter Devdutt Padikkal as captain in place Mayank Agarwal. Padikkal, who was the standout performer in Karnataka’s white-ball campaign — particularly in the Vijay Hazare Trophy where the team reached the semifinals — will lead the side for the first time. The 25-year-old southpaw will begin his captaincy stint in a crunch away fixture against Punjab starting Thursday. The final league engagement is a must-win contest for Karnataka to stay in contention for the knockouts.
It will be a baptism by fire for Padikkal, with the team coming off a heavy defeat to Madhya Pradesh at home on Sunday.Explaining the leadership change at a critical stage of the season, selection committee chairman Amit Verma said the decision was taken with Mayank’s batting in mind. “Given how intense Mayank is as a player, we felt the captaincy was, in some way, affecting his batting, especially since he also opens the innings. We want him to bat freely. We had a conversation with him and he was in sync with the decision,” Verma told TOI.Verma clarified that the move was not a stop-gap arrangement. “It is time we groom youngsters for leadership roles, and Padikkal is the perfect fit. Against Punjab, apart from Mayank, he will also have KL Rahul to help him ease into the new role.”On Mayank’s role in the team, Verma added, “He brings with him valuable experience, hence he will continue to mentor the youngsters in the side.”Rahul, Prasidh returnThe Punjab match will also mark the return of senior batter KL Rahul and pacer Prasidh Krishna, both expected to provide much-needed stability to the batting and bowling units.Karnataka, however, have been forced into multiple changes owing to injuries. Karun Nair has been ruled out after suffering a split webbing on his left hand during the MP game, while medium-pacer Vyshak Vijaykumar misses out with a hamstring injury.There was some positive news with the return of in-form batter R Smaran, who had missed the previous match due to a shoulder niggle that also sidelined him from the Vijay Hazare Trophy semifinals. Smaran replaces Karun, while Vyshak has been replaced by M Venkatesh.Paras Gurbax Arya has made way for in-form spinner Mohsin Khan, who picked up a match haul of 12 wickets in Karnataka’s Col CK Nayudu Trophy U-23 fixture against Chandigarh that concluded on Monday.Big-hitter Abhinav Manohar, who scored 231 runs in five matches, has been dropped to accommodate youngster Dhruv Prabhakar, an all-round option who can also contribute with off-spin. With Rahul’s return, Nikin Jose has also been left out of the squad.Team: Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Aneesh KV, Devdutt Padikkal (capt), R Smaran, Shreyas Gopal, Kruthik Krishna, Venkatesh M, Vidhyadhar Patil, Vidwath Kaverappa, Prasidh Krishna, Mohsin Khan, Shikhar Shetty, KL Shrijith and Dhruv Prabhakar.
