Mayank Agarwal will lead the Karnataka team in the opening two fixtures of the Ranji Trophy, against Punjab and Gujarat.
All-rounder K. Gowtham, who featured in the preceding Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy white ball tournaments, has been left out. In the previous edition of the Ranji Trophy, Gowtham had finished as Karnataka’s highest wicket-taker alongside pacer V. Vyshak (31 wickets).
On the 36-year-old Gowtham’s exclusion, KSCA men’s selection committee chairman J. Abhiram stated that the time has come to give younger players a look in. “Gowtham has done very well for Karnataka over the years, but all players eventually have to move on. We have to keep the future in mind,” Abhiram said.
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Gowtham has long been a mainstay in Karnataka’s red ball side. He has played 59 First Class matches, taking 224 wickets with his off-spin. A handy bat with a penchant for the big hits, Gowtham has one century and five fifties.
The spin attack now consists of left-arm spinners Shubhang Hegde and Rohit Kumar, and offspinner K. Shashikumar. The trio is thin on experience, with only Shubhang (four caps) having played First Class cricket.
Abhiram stated that Rohit resembled the late B. Vijayakrishna, who was part of the Karnataka team in the 1970s and 1980s. “Rohit is a terrific talent in the mould of Vijayakrishna. Rohit has flight and loop, and is very consistent,” Abhiram said.
On the general selection theme, Abhiram said, “The message is clear to everyone - the younger generation is coming in.”
Wicketkeeper-batter Sujay Sateri, who found form with the bat in the C.K. Nayudu under-23 Trophy, has been included in place of B.R. Sharath. Sharath Srinivas is the other wicketkeeper in the squad.
Reliable batter Nikin Jose takes over from R. Samarth as the vice-captain.
Batter K.L. Rahul and pacer Prasidh Krishna are away on international duty.
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