Karnataka’s Vidwath Kaverappa and V. Vyshak at a practice session ahead of the Ranji Trophy match against Goa in Shivamogga on Friday, October 24, 2025.
| Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh
For all its immense pedigree and wealth of talent, Karnataka, in recent times, has lacked a certain cutting edge.
Despite repeated forays into the Ranji Trophy knockouts, it boasts of no title since 2014-15, and on multiple occasions, it has failed to grab a game by the scruff of the neck.
Last week’s season-opener against Saurashtra was the latest example, as it allowed the opposition to accumulate 58 runs for the last two wickets, gave away 35 extras and conceded a narrow four-run first-innings lead in the drawn encounter.
When Mayank Agarwal & Co. take on Goa at the KSCA Navule Stadium here from Saturday — the first Ranji match here since February 2020 — they will have to be clinical.
Karnataka players at a training session ahead of their Ranji Trophy match against Goa in Shivamogga on Friday, October 24, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
s k dinesh
The city is in the midst of a rainy spell and Karnataka will hope there is no repeat of last year when it could get just two points from the opening two matches because of inclement weather.
It has to make hay whenever the sun shines, and for this, the return of pace bowling spearheads V. Vyshak and Vidwath Kaverappa should help. Leggie Shreyas Gopal, who produced career-best figures of eight for 110 and made a half-century (56) will look to keep up his dream start.
Devdutt Padikkal, who made a valuable 96 versus Saurashtra, will however miss the clash after being named in the India-A squad that will play South Africa-A from October 30 in Bengaluru.
Goa, which has returned to the Elite competition after a year in the Plate division, has warmed up well with an innings-and-75-run victory over Chandigarh.
Mayank Agarwal and Vidhwath Kaverappa at a training session ahead of Karnataka‘s Ranji Trophy match against Goa in Shivamogga on Friday, October 24, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
S.K. Dinesh
It has drawn the last two matches against Karnataka, and will bank on the wisdom of pacer V. Koushik and assistant coach Dodda Ganesh, both formerly of the South Indian heavyweight.
In the recent Dr. (Capt.) K. Thimmappiah Memorial tournament, a red-ball competition organised by Karnataka, Goa was even a worthy semifinalist. Another creditable show will do it a world of good.
Published – October 24, 2025 06:53 pm IST
