Karnataka has gained a significant boost ahead of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 with the addition of top Indian players KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna to their roster. The defending champions will kick off their 50-over campaign on December 24 in Ahmedabad.
Rahul and Krishna, who are part of India’s existing ODI squad playing at home against South Africa now, have come up through the ranks. ODI captain Rahul makes a comeback to local cricket after a considerable gap apart from his international assignments. Meanwhile, Krishna bolsters the pace ranks with speed and experience lacking from the bowling attack.
Defending champions Karnataka have announced a 16-member squad led by Mayank Agarwal. Vice-Captain Andhra’s Hanuma Vihari, a stark underperformer in last Ranji Trophy season, has been named the vice-captain. Nair had earned it, and the selectors have reiterated that consistency is indeed rewarded with responsibility.
Chairing the selection panel, Amit Verma said that pacers Vidwath Kaverappa and Vidyadhar Patel, who did not make the main squad, will nonetheless travel to Ahmedabad with the team and remain available for match duty.
Meanwhile, Karnataka find themselves in Group A alongside Jharkhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Tripura, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Moreover, all group-stage matches — including the opener against Jharkhand on December 24 — will take place in Ahmedabad.
But Rahul and Prasidh are due to fly out halfway through the competition for India’s upcoming one-day international series in New Zealand, which begins on January 11. It would leave them at risk of missing the second halves of group-stage games and the knockout stages.
Karnataka’s squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26:
Mayank Agarawal (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Karun Nair (vc), R. Smaran, KL Shrijith, Abhinav Manohar, Shreyas Gopal, V. Vyshak, Manvanth Kumar L, Shreesha S Achar, Abhilash Shetty, Sharath BR, Harshil Dharmani, Dhruv Prabhakar, KL Rahul, Prasidh Krishna.
