Shreyas Gopal Returns to Karnataka, Aims for Ranji Trophy Success

Shreyas Gopal Returns to Karnataka, Aims for Ranji Trophy Success

Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy hopes have received a significant boost with the return of experienced leg-spinning all-rounder Shreyas Gopal. After a brief stint with Kerala in the 2023-24 season, Gopal has rejoined his home state, eager to contribute to their elusive Ranji Trophy triumph since 2014-15.

Gopal’s return is a testament to his unwavering loyalty to Karnataka. Despite receiving offers from other states, he has chosen to prioritize his home team’s success. This decision reflects his deep connection to Karnataka and his desire to make a meaningful impact on their cricketing fortunes.

In the 2022-23 First Class season, Gopal’s batting prowess came to the fore as he scored 360 runs at an average of 45. However, he is determined to regain his status as a formidable bowler. He has spent the last year honing his skills, focusing on improving his accuracy and consistency.

Gopal’s return is particularly crucial for Karnataka, who have struggled to find a reliable spinner in recent years. His experience and ability to control the game with his spin bowling will be invaluable to the team. He is confident of contributing with both bat and ball, aiming for a target of 30-35 wickets and 500 runs in the upcoming season.

As a senior pro, Gopal also recognizes his responsibility to mentor the team’s younger spinners, Hardik Raj and Mohsin Khan. He is eager to share his knowledge and experience, helping them develop their skills and reach their full potential.

Karnataka will be hoping that Gopal’s return will inspire the team to break their Ranji Trophy drought. With his experience, leadership, and all-round abilities, he is poised to play a pivotal role in their quest for glory.

Sanju Samson to Boost Kerala's Ranji Trophy Campaign

Sanju Samson to Boost Kerala’s Ranji Trophy Campaign

Sanju Samson, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, has confirmed his availability for Kerala’s upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka, scheduled to commence on October 18 in Alur. This announcement comes after Samson’s impressive performances in the recently concluded three-T20I series against Bangladesh.

Samson’s inclusion in the Kerala squad is a significant boost for the team, which has already secured a convincing eight-wicket victory in its opening game against Punjab. The 28-year-old’s experience and skill will be invaluable to the Sachin Baby-led unit.

“Yes, Sanju Samson reached out to me and confirmed his availability for the next game. He will be playing the match vs Karnataka in Alur,” said P Prasanth, chairman of Kerala’s senior selection committee.

While Samson’s availability for this particular match is confirmed, his future participation in the Ranji Trophy will depend on his commitments to the Indian team. To ensure continuity within the squad, Baby will continue to lead the side.

“For now, Sanju’s availability for this game is confirmed. His future availability depends on his India commitments. So that’s why Baby will continue to lead the side,” added Prasanth.

Samson’s recent performances in the Duleep Trophy have been impressive, with the batter scoring a century and a couple of substantial 40s for India D. However, it remains uncertain whether he will don the wicketkeeping gloves for Kerala in the upcoming fixture.

“That the coach and all will take the call along with Sanju. Whether he keeps or not is totally up to them,” said Prasanth.

Kerala finds itself in Group C of the ongoing Ranji Trophy alongside Bengal, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. A convincing win in the opening fixture has undoubtedly boosted the team’s confidence.

Prior to the season, Kerala acquired the services of Baba Aparajith, a former India U-19 player and a consistent performer for Tamil Nadu. Aparajith’s contributions with both bat and ball have been crucial for the team.

Nikin Jose's Heroics Deny Madhya Pradesh First-Innings Lead in Ranji Trophy Opener

Nikin Jose’s Heroics Deny Madhya Pradesh First-Innings Lead in Ranji Trophy Opener

Nikin Jose’s valiant 99 (216b, 8×4, 6×6) denied Madhya Pradesh the bragging rights over Karnataka as their 2024-25 Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C opener petered out to a draw at the Holkar Stadium.

The hosts, resuming on 425 for eight, set themselves a minimum of 98 overs to bowl Karnataka out and secure three points. For the visitors, gaining the lead was a distant dream, but it was an ideal opportunity to showcase their resilience and set the tone for the season ahead.

Nikin and Shreyas Gopal (60 n.o., 110b, 7×4, 1×6) rose to the challenge, rescuing Karnataka from a precarious 72 for four with a 127-run partnership. Nikin fell agonizingly short of a well-deserved century, trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya minutes before tea.

However, the 24-year-old, who had endured a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, had already made a significant impact on both his team and himself. At 206 for five, bad light and a slight drizzle officially ended proceedings, giving both sides a point each.

Nikin, who opened the innings, weathered the early onslaught of off-spinner Saransh Jain and Kartikeya, who bowled 32 of the 37 overs in the morning session as the new cherry gripped, turned, and bounced. Mayank Agarwal and Manish Pandey were both caught by close-in fielders off Kartikeya, while Devdutt Padikkal paid the price for playing back to Saransh’s delivery that slid and thudded into the pads.

Debutant R. Smaran concentrated hard (17, 51b, 1×4, 1×6), but had his off-stump rearranged by Saransh while trying to guard against the one that would hold its line. From there on, Nikin and Shreyas dug in. After safely negotiating until lunch, the duo scored briskly, collecting 46 runs from the next 10 overs. Nikin, after impressing with his cut shots early, slapped Saransh for a four and six down the ground. The half-century was had by flicking Avesh Khan to the mid-wicket fence.

Shreyas, who was reprieved by Rajat Patidar at backward short-leg when on six, played the ideal foil, nudging, driving, and sweeping his way to his 15th First Class fifty. Nikin moved into the 90s with towering back-to-back maximums off Saransh. Kartikeya spared his spin partner of further misery, but it came a tad too late.

Rain and Light Mar Day Three of Ranji Trophy Opener in Indore

Rain and Light Mar Day Three of Ranji Trophy Opener in Indore

Indore’s Holkar Stadium witnessed a frustrating day three of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C opener between Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka as inclement weather and poor light conditions halted play prematurely.

After the opening day was washed out without a ball being bowled, Sunday’s proceedings began under clear skies and sunshine. However, only 57 overs could be completed before light worsened, forcing an early tea break. Two rounds of rain subsequently brought an end to the day’s play.

At stumps, Madhya Pradesh had reached 425 for eight in their first innings, thanks to a solid batting performance led by skipper Shubham Sharma. Sharma, who had retired hurt on day one, returned to notch up his ninth First-Class century, scoring an unbeaten 143 off 243 deliveries.

The 30-year-old exhibited a textbook approach to batting, playing with patience and precision. He defended resolutely, played close to his body, and always timed the ball well.

Karnataka’s bowlers, led by speedster V. Vyshak, started strongly. Vyshak dismissed Venkatesh Iyer in the second over of the day, while Harpreet Singh Bhatia was castled by V. Koushik for 91.

However, Shubham and Saransh Jain (51 off 128 balls) steadied the Madhya Pradesh innings, putting on a 131-run partnership for the seventh wicket. This partnership ensured that Karnataka would likely only earn a single point from the match.

Karnataka’s absence of lead pacer Prasidh Krishna was keenly felt. Krishna, who had returned from a quadriceps injury in the Duleep Trophy, walked off the field on day one after bowling just eight overs. His absence left a void in the Karnataka attack, which struggled to make consistent breakthroughs.

Prasidh Krishna's Fitness Concerns Resurface in Ranji Trophy

Prasidh Krishna’s Fitness Concerns Resurface in Ranji Trophy

India’s pace spearhead Prasidh Krishna’s fitness concerns have resurfaced after he sat out the third day of Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore. The 28-year-old, who was recently named as a traveling reserve for India’s upcoming Test series against New Zealand, had bowled only eight overs on the opening day of the match.

Krishna’s absence on day three raised eyebrows, especially considering his recent injury history. He had missed eight months of action due to a quadriceps injury sustained in January during Karnataka’s previous Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat.

Sources close to the team indicate that Krishna experienced some discomfort while running on the rain-battered outfield at the Holkar Stadium. The outfield conditions were challenging for all players, leading to the cancellation of an entire day’s play on Saturday.

Krishna’s fitness is a major concern for the Indian team management ahead of their five-match tour of Australia starting late next month. The speedster is highly rated by the Indian think-tank, and his form and physical well-being are crucial for India’s chances in the upcoming series.

Karnataka missed Krishna’s services badly on day three, as they struggled to bowl out Madhya Pradesh and secure the first-innings lead. The match is now evenly poised, with both teams having a chance to win.

Krishna’s fitness will be closely monitored in the coming days. If he is unable to recover in time for the Test series against New Zealand, it could force the Indian team to make a late change to their squad.

Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh Draw First Blood in Ranji Trophy Opener

Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh Draw First Blood in Ranji Trophy Opener

Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh played to a stalemate on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C encounter at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The hosts, after being asked to bat first, reached 232 for four from 83 overs, with Harpreet Singh Bhatia’s unbeaten 75 (164b, 8×4) being the highlight.

Overnight rain provided some assistance to the bowlers, and Karnataka’s Prasidh Krishna struck early, trapping Himanshu Mantri (0) in front in the second over. However, the outfield was slightly soggy, which seemed to affect the Karnataka fielders, who were hesitant in going for many a ball.

MP’s batters were patient for the most part, but a rush of blood cost Subhransu Senapati (28, 61b, 4×4) his wicket, as he miscued a pull off Vyshak to be caught by wicketkeeper Sujay Sateri. Yash Dubey (20, 76b, 2×4) was adjudged caught behind, down the leg-side, off left-arm spinner Hardik Raj, a decision the batter wasn’t too happy with.

Harpreet combined for crucial half-century partnerships with Shubham Sharma (40, 88b, 2×4) and Rajat Patidar (31, 61b, 3×4), which propped up the innings. Harpreet, a veteran of 75 First Class matches, showcased his pressure-handling skills when faced with some tight bowling.

Post-tea, Venkatesh Iyer brought in some urgency (25, 46b, 2×6). As the sun broke through for the first time, Venkatesh bloomed, launching leggie Shreyas Gopal over mid-wicket for a maximum and then dancing down the track to hammer V. Koushik straight down the ground.

Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal impressed with a couple of diving saves, while an intruder ran in to click a selfie with Patidar but had to be content with a handshake after the on-field umpire’s intervention.

The match is evenly poised heading into day two, with both teams having a chance to take control of the contest.

Mayank Agarwal to Lead Karnataka in Ranji Trophy Opener

Mayank Agarwal to Lead Karnataka in Ranji Trophy Opener

Mayank Agarwal, the out-of-favor India opener, has been appointed as Karnataka’s captain for their first two Ranji Trophy matches against Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. The 28-year-old will be eager to impress the selectors with some big runs after a lukewarm Duleep Trophy.

Agarwal’s deputy will be pacer Prasidh Krishna, who is also making a comeback to top-flight cricket after a long injury layoff. Krishna, who has a BCCI pace bowlers’ contract, will be looking to improve his wicket tally after taking just four wickets in two matches for India A in the Duleep Trophy.

Other key players in the Karnataka squad include Devdutt Padikkal, who will be hoping to continue his good form from the Duleep Trophy, and pacer Vysakh Vijayakumar, who will be eager to make his presence felt after a successful season with Kerala last year.

However, pacer Vidwath Kaverappa, who is nursing an injury, did not find a place in the 16-member squad.

Karnataka will face MP at Indore from October 11, while the former champions will take on Kerala at Bengaluru from October 18.

Karnataka Struggles in MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup, Ekes Out Narrow Win

Karnataka Struggles in MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup, Ekes Out Narrow Win

Karnataka’s performance in the ongoing MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup All-India hockey tournament has been a far cry from their impressive run in the previous edition, where they reached the final. In the 95th edition of the tournament, Karnataka has struggled to assert its dominance, failing to replicate the robust display and penalty corner prowess that characterized their previous campaign.

On Monday, Karnataka managed to eke out a hard-fought 4-3 victory over NCOE (Bhopal) in a Pool-B encounter, thanks to a brace each from Abharan Sudev and C. J. Rahul. However, the win came after two disappointing losses, highlighting Karnataka’s current struggles.

NCOE, which entered the tournament with a reputation to defend after winning the Lakshmi Ammal memorial tournament in June, has also failed to live up to expectations. The team has lost two of its three matches so far, including the defeat to Karnataka.

The match between Karnataka and NCOE was a closely contested affair. NCOE opened the scoring early on through their captain Faraz Md., who converted a penalty corner in the seventh minute. Karnataka responded quickly with goals from Abharan Sudev and Rahul, taking a 2-1 lead. Rahul extended Karnataka’s advantage to 3-1 with a back-push from close range.

NCOE came close to equalizing in the closing stages of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter through penalty corners. However, Karnataka’s goalkeeper A. C. Subramani came up with some timely saves to preserve his team’s lead.

In another Pool-A contest, defending champion Indian Railways defeated Maharashtra 3-2. Yuvraj Walmiki, Simranjot Singh, and Shivam Anand scored for Indian Railways, while Rohan Patil and Venkatesh Kenche netted for Maharashtra.

Arjun Tendulkar Shines with Nine-Wicket Haul in Pre-Season Tournament

Arjun Tendulkar Shines with Nine-Wicket Haul in Pre-Season Tournament

Arjun Tendulkar, the son of legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, has made a strong statement ahead of the upcoming first-class season with a match-winning nine-wicket haul in Goa’s innings and 189-run victory over hosts Karnataka in the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament.

In the first innings, Karnataka was dismissed for a paltry 103, with Arjun claiming 5/41 in 13 overs. Goa then posted a formidable 413, thanks to a century from Abhinav Tejrana (109) and a solid 69 from Manthan Khutkar.

In the second innings, KSCA XI showed some improvement but were eventually bowled out for 121, with Arjun taking 4/46 in 13.3 overs. His match haul of 9/87 in 26.3 overs was instrumental in Goa’s comprehensive victory.

Arjun, who will turn 25 next week, has now played 49 competitive games across three formats at the senior level, claiming 68 wickets. In 13 first-class matches, he has taken 21 wickets.

Arjun’s performance has drawn comparisons to his illustrious father, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. However, Arjun’s journey has been marked by both challenges and opportunities.

He has previously trained under former India player Yograj Singh, the father of Yuvraj Singh. Yograj has praised Arjun’s potential but also emphasized the importance of proper guidance and support.

“Arjun Tendulkar came to you for training. How do you see his future?” Yograj was asked in an interview.

“Have you seen diamond in a coal mine? Woh Koyla hi hai..nikalo patthar hi hai, kisi tarashgir ke haath me dalo to chamak ke duniya ko kohinoor ban jata hai (It is coal that is rock when taken out from a mine, but if it is given in proper hands, it goes on to become Kohinoor. It is priceless. But if that same diamond reaches a person who does not know its worth, he destroys it. I don’t say it myself that Yograj Singh is a great character, Yuvraj Singh says it, ‘there is magic in my dad’s hand, he made me what I am.’ Earlier, I was abused ‘Hitler, Dragon Singh, I hate my father’. Everybody hated me in my home. My relatives said, I should not have been a father,” Yograj Singh replied.

“But he walked his path. And by God’s Grace you got Yuvraj Singh.”

Arjun’s performance in the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament suggests that he is on the right track. With his talent and determination, he has the potential to follow in his father’s footsteps and make a significant impact on the cricketing world.

Yere Goud Returns as Karnataka Men's Cricket Head Coach

Yere Goud Returns as Karnataka Men’s Cricket Head Coach

Yere Goud has been reappointed as the head coach of the Karnataka men’s cricket team, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced on Thursday. Goud replaces P.V. Shashikanth, who took charge in 2022.

Goud previously held the post of Karnataka head coach from 2018 to 2022. During his tenure, the team won the Ranji Trophy in 2019 and 2022, and the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2019.

Shashikant’s departure comes after a middling 2023-24 season, where Karnataka reached the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Goud, who was in charge of the Karnataka under-23 team that clinched a maiden C.K. Nayudu Trophy earlier this year, will be assisted by former Karnataka fast bowler Mansur Ali Khan as the senior men’s bowling coach. J. Abhiram continues as the chairman of the senior men’s selection committee.

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