NEW DELHI: KL Rahul is set to play for Karnataka in their last Ranji Trophy group stage fixture against Haryana in Bengaluru. The match gets underway on January 30 and the selectors are likely to announce the team for that game later in the day. Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) President Raghuram Bhat, who is the manager of Team India for the ongoing series vs England, confirmed Rahul’s availability to TimesofIndia.com.
“I am not in Bengaluru at the moment but from the information I have received, he is available for the last Ranji Trophy match,” says Bhat.
The right-hander missed the side’s previous fixture against Punjab due to a niggle but will take the field in the crucial last game at home.
Karnataka kept their qualification hopes alive after a thumping win over Punjab, in which they outclassed the visitors by an innings and 207 runs. Mayank Agarwal and Co. now need a bonus point win over table-toppers Haryana.
Many star players will be in action during the next round. Mohammed Siraj will play for Hyderabad, and Virat Kohli will return to first-class cricket after 13 long years.
Shubman Gill, who led Punjab in their game against Karnataka, is unlikely to play in the upcoming round. When asked about his availability after the match, the right-hander told reporters, “I will not play; I have been asked to report.”
Ravindra Jadeja continues to train with the Saurashtra Ranji Trophy team and is all set to play in their must-win game against Assam.
That fixture will see Riyan Parag return to competitive cricket. The all-rounder has been away from action for a long time due to a shoulder injury. His last appearance was during the T20I series against Bangladesh in October last year.
Delhi, on the other hand, is expected to announce its squad for the Ranji Trophy match against Railways later in the day.
