Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is hopeful of gaining the services of their opener KL Rahul for the quarter-final contest as the right-handed batsman has not included in the playing XI for the third Test match against Sri Lanka at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
His exclusion came as a surprise as it was expected that either of Shikhar Dhawan or Murali Vijay would play but KL Rahul, who has nine half-centuries in previous 11 Tests, was benched. However, this news gave an opportunity to KSCA to ask BCCI for the release of KL Rahul quarterfinal of Ranji Trophy against 41-time champion Mumbai.
KL Rahul is not a part of the ODI side to face Sri Lanka, and there can be a case when he might be released to play in the knockout game for his state. Mohammed Shami and Wriddhiman Saha have not been included in state’s team.
Since KL Rahul will have a rest day on all five days, there are bright chances of him being released from the state duty.
BCCI had earlier released Ishant Sharma during the first Test match for state duties after he was not included in the playing XI for the Kolkata Test. Rohit Sharma was also released, but poor connectivity to Andhra Pradesh from Kolkata meant that he stayed with the team.
Karnataka side would be pretty much satisfied if KL Rahul is released as already they have Mayank Agarwal at the top who has scored over 1000 runs in the ongoing season, and Rahul’s addition will surely put pressure on Mumbai, who are without Shardul Thakur.
Meanwhile, Mumbai have included Prithvi Shaw in the 15-member squad as of now, but his participation is yet to be confirmed as there can be a case when he might attend the U19 camp starting before the junior World Cup which will start next month. Same is the case with Bengal’s Ishan Porel, who has been included in his state team but is yet to receive confirmation from the board.
India squad for the junior World Cup will be announced today (December 3).
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