KL Rahul back in Ranji Trophy fold after five years

BENGALURU: After a five-year hiatus, top-order batter KL Rahul will return to the Ranji Trophy. The Karnataka batter will feature in his team’s crucial last league engagement against table toppers Haryana at the M Chinnaswamy stadium here from January 30.
Rahul was expected to play in Karnataka’s previous contest at the same venue against Punjab last week but missed the tie due to a niggle. The 32-year-old, who has played 30 Ranji Trophy matches including two triumphant finals, is expected to arrive in the city early on Tuesday and hit the ground running.
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“Rahul will join the team for a couple of practice sessions and has informed us about the same,” acknowledged J Abhiram, chairman of the senior selection committee.
While it is confirmed that Rahul, who returned 276 runs in five matches, including two half-centuries in Australia, will play, it is unclear at what position he will play in the must-win contest.
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While he opened the innings in four of the five Tests in Australia, he has floated in the middle order in One-Day cricket. In his last One-Dayer against Sri Lanka in August 2024, he came at No. 5, a role he had also performed at the 50-over World Cup at home in 2023. According to sources, with the Champions Trophy looming, the Indian team think-tank will advise Rahul on the batting position and the Karnataka team management is happy to work around it.
Irrespective of where Rahul bats, one among KV Aneesh and Abhinav Manohar – two players in good touch -- will have to sit out.
KAVERAPPA RETURNS
Pacer Vidwath Kaverappa, who picked up a shin injury during the Duleep Trophy in September last year, will make his maiden appearance this season. Kaverappa, who was handed a fast-bowling contract by the BCCI last year, has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy for the past few months and was recently cleared for competition.
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Kaverappa’s return could mean that youngster Yashovardhan Parantap, who was impressive in the win against Punjab, could miss out.
Rahul has been added in the squad as the 17th player, with Vidhyadhar Patil making way for Kaverappa.
SQUAD: Mayank Agarwal (c), KL Rahul, Shreyas Gopal (vc), Devdutt Padikkal, KV Aneesh, R Smaran, KL Shrijith (wk), Abhinav Manohar, Hardik Raj, Prasidh Krishna, Vidwath Kaverappa, Vasuki Koushik, Abhilash Shetty, Yashovardhan Parantap, Nikin Jose, Sujay Sateri (wk), Mohsin Khan