Ranji Trophy: Karnataka to meet Saurashtra at Alur Grounds

Karnataka will face Saurashtra in a Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match at the Alur Grounds near Bengaluru from Sunday, a second stern test of the season for the hosts. The fixture reunites Karnataka with a side that has been champion twice and runner-up twice since Karnataka's last Ranji title in 2014-15.

Karnataka have not beaten Saurashtra in a Ranji match since 2009, eight encounters ago, and will be led by Shreyas Gopal after R. Smaran left to join India-A for the tour of New Zealand. In Karnataka’s second-place finish last edition, Shreyas took 48 wickets and scored 469 runs, and the 33-year-old leg-spinner missed the game against Andhra last week because of dehydration.

The return of pacers Vidwath Kaverappa and V. Vyshak is expected to strengthen Karnataka’s attack, but the side must cover for K.L. Rahul’s experience and Smaran’s runs (126 and 21 at Mulapadu). Karun Nair impressed with scores of 8 and 155 not out against Andhra, while Mayank Agarwal contributed 5 and 18 and K.V. Aneesh managed 0 and 6 in that match.

Both teams come into the match following draws, but Saurashtra carry three points to Karnataka’s one from those results. Karnataka will also pray that rain stays away.

Despite Saurashtra’s recent success in the Ranji Trophy, the West India side has not progressed beyond the quarterfinals in the last three seasons. Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 102 and took three wickets against Chhattisgarh in the opener, will miss the fixture.

Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat told The Hindu: “Whenever Ravindra comes in, he makes the side stronger, certainly” and added “But he has played only a handful of games for us in the past six to seven seasons. We have a balanced squad and playing against Karnataka always gives us extra motivation”.

The Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match between Karnataka and Saurashtra is scheduled to begin at the Alur Grounds from Sunday, with both teams looking to improve their position in the group.