Manish Pandey returns to Karnataka squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Former captain Mayank Agarwal and spinner Shreyas Gopal have been omitted from the 15-member team.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced a 15-member squad on Friday for the first three matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Former captain Manish Pandey has returned to the state side for the first time in nearly two years, according to reports from Deccan Herald and Sportstar.
Senior players Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Gopal were left out of the squad. Chief selector Amit Verma told Deccan Herald that the decision involved choosing between three players over the age of 35, including Karun Nair, Manish Pandey, and Mayank Agarwal.
Verma told Sportstar that the omission of Agarwal and Gopal was a tough call made to accommodate youngsters such as Aneeshwar Gautam and Rohan A Patil. He noted that Agarwal was short on runs and that leg-spinner Pravin Dubey was included to provide extra value with the bat.
The squad features Smaran R as captain, who recently returned from national duty in New Zealand. Luvnith Sisodia and Shrijith KL will share wicketkeeping duties, while the pace attack includes Vyshak Vijaykumar, Vidwath Kaverappa, and Abhilash Shetty.
Verma stated that Agarwal and Gopal will be included in the Karnataka Vijay Hazare Trophy squad and remain options for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the event of injuries. Karnataka will begin their campaign against Bengal on November 14 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.