KL Rahul Set to Return for Karnataka in Ranji Trophy Clash Against Punjab
KL Rahul confirms Ranji Trophy return for Karnataka against Punjab, with Shubman Gill also set to feature in the key Group D clash.
KL Rahul has confirmed he will be available to play for Karnataka in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. The India batter will turn out for Karnataka in their Group D match against Punjab, starting January 29 in Mullanpur.
Rahul will not be part of Karnataka’s earlier fixture against Madhya Pradesh on January 22 in Alur. However, he is expected to link up with the squad in time for the Punjab game, which comes at a key stage of the group phase.
The return marks Rahul’s move back to domestic red-ball cricket after a busy international schedule. It also fits into the BCCI’s recent push for leading players, who are not on immediate India duty, to feature in domestic tournaments.
The Punjab vs Karnataka contest is shaping up to be one of the most watched Ranji Trophy matches this round. Shubman Gill is also likely to be part of the same fixture, turning out for Punjab against Rahul’s Karnataka.
Gill has already joined the Punjab squad for their January 22 match against Saurashtra in Rajkot. That game will also see Ravindra Jadeja in action for Saurashtra, adding more star power to the contest.
Punjab are under pressure in Group D and need wins in both their remaining matches against Saurashtra and Karnataka to stay in the race for the knockout stages. The presence of Gill could be crucial for them at this stage.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Nitish Kumar Reddy will continue to play for Andhra. Andhra are currently second in Group A and are well placed to qualify for the knockouts.
Reddy comes into the Ranji games in good form after scoring a fifty in the recent ODI against New Zealand. He is being closely tracked by the selectors and is seen as a potential backup to Hardik Pandya in limited-overs cricket.
Not all senior players will be returning to domestic action. Rishabh Pant is unlikely to feature in the Ranji Trophy this season. He is set to head to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to continue his recovery and fitness work.
With Rahul’s return and Gill’s availability, the Punjab vs Karnataka match stands out as a high-profile clash. It underlines the renewed focus on domestic cricket and the role it plays in keeping India’s top players match-ready.
