Ranji Trophy: Karnataka seek recovery against Tripura in Mysuru

Karnataka will aim to shrug off a disappointing start when they face Tripura in a Ranji Trophy Elite ‘B’ match at SDNR Wadiyar Stadium in Mysuru from Monday, after winning just two points from as many outings in the competition.

Karnataka have managed only two points from two matches and will fancy their chances against Tripura, a side that has suffered two defeats in the Elite section. Rain threatened to interfere with preparations; there was a light drizzle in Mysuru on Sunday morning but it did not stop the teams from completing practice sessions.

Karnataka will look to Vidwath Kaverappa to exploit any assistance the conditions offer the pacers, with V. Vyshak’s express pace expected to trouble the Tripura batters. Abhilash Shetty and Manvanth Kumar provide additional bowling options for the hosts.

With K.L. Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and R. Smaran unavailable, batting responsibility will rest on Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair and in-form opener Rohan Patil. Manvanth has also shown his ability with the bat, having struck a fluent 135 in the previous outing against Saurashtra.

Stand-in captain Shreyas Gopal set out the team’s intent ahead of the match, saying: “The thought process in a Karnataka team is to always go for a win.” He acknowledged the side had erred in the last match, adding: “We should have got the lead, especially in the last match. We missed a couple of tricks. But coming into this game, if we can put some pressure early on, we can slide our way to a first victory,” he said.

The 33-year-old, who took a blow to the hand against Saurashtra, said he was fit to play. Mayank, who did not bat in the second innings after being struck on the finger, was also match-fit, Shreyas added.

Karnataka will attempt to secure their first victory of the Ranji Trophy Elite ‘B’ campaign in the match against Tripura at SDNR Wadiyar Stadium in Mysuru from Monday.