KL Rahul returns to Karnataka for their Ranji opener as Smaran stands in as captain

KL Rahul will begin his red-ball preparation for India's tour of New Zealand with Karnataka, who have named him in a 15-member squad for their Ranji Trophy opener against Andhra on October 11

The Karnataka State Cricket Association announced the squad on Thursday, with Smaran R handed the captaincy for the away fixture in Mulapadu.

Rahul is one of four India internationals in the party. Prasidh Krishna, Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal are the others, although Prasidh's participation is in doubt after the left hamstring injury that ruled him out of the one-day series against West Indies.

The selection follows the BCCI's decision to send its Test players back to their states before the two-Test series in New Zealand, the last first-class cricket available to them ahead of the tour.

Red-ball miles before New Zealand

India's Test group has been asked to turn out in the Ranji Trophy when it begins on October 11, with captain Shubman Gill expected at Punjab and Rahul, his vice-captain, at Karnataka.

"The match and the number of matches they play will depend on the medical team's clearance, keeping the workload and assignments in mind," a team official told The Times of India. "All senior players, including the captain, are expected to play at least one game provided there are no medical/workload concerns."

India's tour opens with five T20Is from October 22 and five ODIs from November 4. The first Test starts in Wellington on November 19 and the second at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on November 27.

Smaran leads in Padikkal's absence

Smaran stands in for Devdutt Padikkal, who was named vice-captain for India A's three one-day matches against Australia A, a series that finishes on the day Karnataka's campaign starts.

The left-hander is the only Karnataka player in the current Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup.

"Smaran is young, established and has been doing very well for us. So in Devdutt's absence, it will be the perfect time for him to take over the State team," chief selector Amit Verma told Deccan Herald. "I also had a word with whether he was okay to take over, and he was more than happy."

Seniors on hand

Verma said the experience around the new captain weighed in the decision.

"We also felt it is the right time with seniors like Shreyas (Gopal), Karun (Nair), and Mayank (Agarwal), they can mentor and guide him whenever required," he said. "And his leadership skills will only help him in the future."

How much of the season Rahul plays is still open. "With Devdutt, we were not sure (on his return), but Rahul (KL) and Prasidh (Krishna) were available for this game," Verma said. "We will see when they will have to report to India duties and take a call from there."

A depleted pace attack

Karnataka travel without their two frontline seamers. Vyshak Vijaykumar and Vidwath Kaverappa are both still recovering and short of full fitness.

Abhilash Shetty, Kumar L R and Manvanth Kumar L make up the pace unit in their place, with Prasidh's arrival at the state camp unresolved.

Shreyas Gopal, Shikhar Shetty and Rithesh Bhatkal carry the spin, while Shrijith K L and Kruthik Krishna are the designated wicketkeepers.

Starting again after Hubballi

Karnataka reached last season's final and lost it on home soil in Hubballi, where Jammu & Kashmir took a maiden Ranji Trophy title on first-innings lead in February.

The eight-time champions open the new season under a new head coach in Vinay Kumar, the former India seamer, with Deepak Chougale as his assistant.

Karnataka's opener against Andhra in Mulapadu runs from October 11, with Rahul expected to play at least that match before India's Test preparation takes him away.

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