The stage is set for a thrilling clash in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C as Karnataka gears up to face a formidable Kerala side at the Alur Grounds, starting from Friday. Kerala, riding high on an impressive eight-wicket win over Punjab, will be brimming with confidence. Their arsenal is further strengthened by the return of Sanju Samson, who has been in sparkling form after his magnificent 111 in the Hyderabad T20I against Bangladesh. Notably, Samson holds fond memories of the Alur Grounds, having smashed an unbeaten 212 off 129 balls in a Vijay Hazare Trophy encounter against Goa five monsoons ago. If the 29-year-old can replicate his past glories with his current form, Karnataka will have a daunting task ahead of them.
The eight-time Ranji Trophy champions, Karnataka, are coming off a mixed performance against Madhya Pradesh in Indore. Despite splitting points equally due to rain and a challenging outfield, the Karnataka top order failed to impress, with only Nikin Jose providing resistance with a gritty 99. The bowling attack also faced its share of challenges, with Prasidh Krishna sidelined after bowling just eight overs. With Prasidh joining the Indian squad as a travelling reserve and Vidwath Kaverappa ruled out with a shin injury, Karnataka faces a selection dilemma. The race is on between seam-bowling all-rounder Vidyadhar Patil and rookie left-armer Abhilash Shetty to fill the gap. Furthermore, Karnataka’s spinners, Shreyas Gopal and Hardik Raj, need to find their rhythm and deliver tight, incisive spells.
In contrast, Kerala boasts a potent spin duo in Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate, who were instrumental in dismantling Punjab, claiming 16 of the 20 wickets. However, their effectiveness in the Garden City’s cool conditions will depend heavily on the pitch’s nature.
For the contest to materialize, the weather needs to cooperate. After persistent rain threats, Wednesday in and around Bengaluru saw a respite from precipitation. The game will be served well if the good weather holds for the next four days. This will be a crucial encounter for both sides, with each team aiming to make a strong statement in the tournament.