Ranji Trophy: Karnataka to meet Andhra in opening match at Mulapadu

Karnataka will open their Ranji Trophy campaign against Andhra at Mulapadu, near Vijayawada, on Sunday, seven months after finishing second to Jammu & Kashmir in the 2025-26 tournament.

The match will be the first under new captain R. Smaran, who makes his captaincy debut in place of Devdutt Padikkal, and with R. Vinay Kumar undertaking his maiden stint as Karnataka coach; the side arrives intent on ending a title drought that has lasted since 2014-15. The batting unit features established names K.L. Rahul, Mayank Agarwal and Karun Nair alongside the in-form Smaran.

Karnataka’s pace resources are depleted by injuries to Prasidh Krishna, Vidwath Kaverappa, V. Vyshak and Vidyadhar Patil, leaving greater responsibility on Abhilash Shetty and M. Venkatesh, who each have five caps. Younger options L. Manvanth Kumar and L.R. Kumar are included despite not having made their First Class debuts. On the bowling situation Vinay said: “We will miss some experience and quality, but I am confident in the upcoming bowlers’ ability.”

Andhra present a stern challenge under the captaincy of Ricky Bhui and coaching of Gary Stead, with 22-year-old batter Shaik Rasheed among their prospects. Off-spinner T. Vijay has taken 50 First Class wickets over the past two seasons and will be closely watched. The side has reached the knockouts four times in the last six editions but has not progressed beyond the quarterfinals.

Vinay warned against complacency and pointed to recent precedent, saying: “We can’t take anyone lightly; the best example is J&K, who beat us to win the title,” and added: “Andhra is a good side, but I have always believed that if we can play at 80 to 85% of our potential, we will be very tough to beat.”

A tone-setting performance will bode well, and Karnataka’s first assignment is the fixture against Andhra at Mulapadu on Sunday.