Karnataka well-represented in Test, ODI, T20I, India A squads

As many as seven players from Karnataka have earned call-ups to the Indian ODI and T20 squads and the India A squad.

Karun Nair (right) has earned a call-up to the Indian Test squad, while Mayank Agarwal has been named in the India A squad.

Karnataka has found ample representation in each of the five Indian teams announced by the All-India Senior Selection Committee here on Tuesday.

While K.L. Rahul was included in the Indian team for all three formats, fellow batsman Karun Nair made a Test comeback. Stroke-maker Manish Pandey was picked for the two Twenty20 sides.

Read: Sensible to stick with Kuldeep, Chahal in shorter formats, says Prasad

Pacer Prasidh Krishna, who took 17 wickets to finish as the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2017-18 Vijay Hazare Trophy, found a berth in the India ‘A’ one-day team to tour the United Kingdom.

For Krishna, this will mark his first competitive overseas tour. He had travelled to Australia in 2016, as part of the KSCA-IDBI Federal Life Insurance Bowling Foundation programme. “I’m very happy. If you do the right things at the right time, people will recognise your efforts,” Krishna said.

Chairman of selectors M.S.K. Prasad stated, “Prasidh was very impressive in last year’s Deodhar Trophy. We have kept track of him since then. He was clearly one of the best bowlers in this year's Vijay Hazare Trophy. He won matches for Karnataka on his own.”

Mayank Agarwal, who finished as the highest run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare seasons, was picked for the India ‘A’ four-day and one-day teams. Asked about Mayank’s chances of gaining a maiden senior India call-up, Prasad replied, “This (India ‘A’) series should tell us where he stands. We are very confident that he will do really well. That's why he figures in both formats.”

All-rounder K. Gowtham received an India ‘A’ one-day call-up. Only a year ago, Gowtham was dropped from the India ‘A’ squad which took on New Zealand ‘A’ due to disciplinary reasons. The 29-year-old has since returned to the good books of the administrators, and has turned in a few match-winning performances for Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing IPL. The consistent R. Samarth is part of the India ‘A’ four-day side. Samarth has been rewarded for his good form in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare. Samarth averaged in excess of 50 in both tournaments. In August last year, the steady batsman came good in his first overseas tour, when he recorded scores of 77 and 55 in the second four-day match against South Africa.

Karnataka players in various squads: India one-off Test against Afghanistan: K. L. Rahul and Karun Nair Ireland and England T20s: K. L. Rahul and Manish Pandey England ODIs: K. L. Rahul India ‘A’ one-day team: Mayank Agarwal, K. Gowtham, Prasidh Krishna India ‘A’ four-day team: Karun Nair (Captain), Mayank Agarwal, R. Samarth