
The player returns to the team fighting for a place in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals
India’s top-order batsman KL Rahul will be available for Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy match against Haryana starting January 30, according to a Times Of India report.
Rahul had missed the previous round 6 match against Punjab due to an issue. Karnataka had won the match by an innings and 207 runs and Rahul’s arrival will be a big boost for the team looking to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Rahul’s return is a boost for Karnataka
Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Raghuram Bhat, who is currently with team India for their series against England, said Rahul will be available for the upcoming Ranji match.
“I am not in Bengaluru right now, but as per the information I have received, he is available for the last Ranji Trophy match,” Bhat told TOI.
Rahul will join the list of regular Indian players who have returned to domestic cricket following the BCCI mandate requiring them to play for their state teams to be eligible for central contracts and national team selection. Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill have played for their national teams in the sixth round matches.
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Rahul was part of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and played all five Tests of the series. He did not feature for Karnataka in the Vijay Hazare Trophy they won earlier this month. His state teammates Devdutt Padikkal and Prasidh Krishna, who were also part of the BGT team, played for Karnataka from the knockout stage.
It has been reported that Virat Kohli will join the Delhi team for the final group stage match against Railways. It will be the former Indian captain’s first domestic match in 12 years.
Ranji Trophy quarter-final race heats up
Karnataka is currently third in Elite Group C with 19 points after their big win against Punjab. They now have to beat group toppers Haryana in Bengaluru, if possible with a difference of 10 wickets or by an innings difference. Their quarter-final chances also depend on second-placed Kerala not winning their final group clash against Bihar.
If Karnataka takes a lead in the first innings and draws against Haryana, they will gain three points but will need the result of the Kerala and Bihar game to be in their favour.
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