Karnataka’s bid to defend their Vijay Hazare Trophy title has received a significant boost with the inclusion of India internationals KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna in their squad. The reigning champions are set to kick off their campaign on December 24 in Ahmedabad. This move marks a rare domestic appearance for Rahul, who recently captained India in an ODI series. His formidable batting prowess and leadership skills are expected to be invaluable. Prasidh Krishna brings his express pace and experience, bolstering the bowling attack, particularly in crucial phases of the game. The 16-player squad will be led by Mayank Agarwal, with Karun Nair appointed as his deputy. Both Rahul and Krishna may be required to leave mid-tournament for national duty in an upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, but their initial availability is a major plus for the Karnataka team. The selectors have also included promising young talents like Harshil Dharmani and Dhruv Prabhakar, who impressed in the U-23 State ‘A’ Trophy. Left-arm spinner Shreesha Achar will handle the spin department. Karnataka faces a strong challenge in Group A, facing teams like Jharkhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh in Ahmedabad.
