Star RCB batter named Karnataka captain despite KL Rahul’s return for the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 season

Karnataka have made some positive changes to their Ranji Trophy squad for the second round of the season. Devdutt Padikkal, who impressed in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, has been named the captain of the team. Several Indian Test players have also made their return to the side.

Indian players are now giving more importance to domestic cricket. This change has happened as fans have started showing more interest, especially after top international players returned to play for their state teams.

The BCCI’s rule on domestic cricket has played a key role in this shift. It has made it mandatory for Indian stars to take part in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy whenever they are free from international duties.

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Devdutt Padikkal Named Captain of Karnataka Ranji Trophy Team

Karnataka have named Devdutt Padikkal as their new captain for the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. The change comes midway through the tournament, ahead of their match against Punjab.

Karnataka are one of the most successful teams in Ranji Trophy history. They have played strong cricket this season as well. Over the years, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has produced many talented players for the Indian team.

Earlier this season, Mayank Agarwal was leading the side. Karnataka, placed in Elite Group B, finished the first half of the tournament with two wins and three draws from their first six matches. They were third on the points table, behind Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna Return for Punjab Match

Indian star KL Rahul has returned to domestic cricket and will play for Karnataka against Punjab. The wicketkeeper-batter has been focusing more on red-ball cricket whenever he is free from international duties.

Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has also been included in the 15-member squad for the match in Mohali. Krishna last played a Test for India against England at The Oval, where he took eight wickets. However, he is not part of India’s ICC T20 World Cup squad and has no international games before the IPL.

Karun Nair Ruled Out, Abhinav Manohar Dropped

The KSCA squad announcement came with a few surprises. Karun Nair has been ruled out due to injury, though the exact issue has not been confirmed.

Nair was Karnataka’s highest run-scorer this season. He scored 614 runs in six matches at an average of 87.71, including two centuries and a double hundred.

Middle-order batter Abhinav Manohar, who has struggled for form, has been dropped from the squad for the final group-stage match. Meanwhile, new captain Devdutt Padikkal is coming into the game after scoring two ducks in his last Ranji Trophy match.