Ranji Trophy 2023-24: Karnataka’s quest to finish trophy drought faces Punjab hurdle

Karnataka will start its quest for a primary Ranji Trophy crown since 2014-15 when it takes on Punjab in its opening Group-C match of the 2023-24 version on the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium from Friday.

It will probably be a tough first recreation for the house staff. Though Punjab final received the Ranji Trophy approach again in 1992-93, and hasn’t gone previous the semifinals since 2004-05, it not too long ago broke its 30-year title drought by claiming the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Skillsets could also be completely different, however confidence is one thing Punjab will carry over.

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There are additionally skilled fingers in Mandeep Singh, Anmolpreet Singh and Siddharth Kaul, and upcoming skills akin to Prabhsimran Singh and Nehal Wadhera. India pacer Arshdeep Singh is within the squad, however it stays to be seen if he performs, for the India – Afghanistan T20I collection begins simply three days after the competition right here.

Karnataka will thus don’t have any time to ease into the premier red-ball championship, and with harder checks forward towards Gujarat and Tamil Nadu (each away), it wants a tone-setting efficiency.

The outfit is, nonetheless, is in transition, particularly within the spin bowling division. With Shreyas Gopal shifting allegiance to Kerala and Ok. Gowtham being eased out, the eight-time winner can have two debutants in Rohit Kumar (left-arm) and Ok. Shashikumar (offie), together with Shubhang Hegde (left-arm), who has featured in simply 4 First Class matches.

It will probably be as much as the batters and speedsters to do the heavy lifting, and on this, the earlier season ought to present hope. Skipper Mayank Agarwal amassed a chart-topping 990 runs and was ably assisted by R. Samarth (662) and Manish Pandey (488).

Nikin Jose made 547 runs in his debut sojourn and the 23-year-old’s reward was the vice-captain’s function for the present marketing campaign. The tempo trio of V. Vyshak, Vidwath Kaverappa and V. Koushik, that accounted for 85 wickets, ought to proceed its good work.