Karnataka name squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026/27: Patil, Sisodia, Pandey return
Synopsis
Karnataka have recalled Rohan Patil, Luvnith Sisodia, and Manish Pandey — the last returning after two years away — for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026/27, while Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Gopal are dropped despite leading the side to Ranji Trophy wins. Smaran R. captains a squad that looks batting-rich but will need its bowling unit to fire on all cylinders in a tough Elite Group A draw.
Key Takeaways
Rohan Patil , Luvnith Sisodia , and Manish Pandey return to Karnataka's squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026/27 , announced on 6 November 2026 .
Smaran R. will captain the side, having returned from India A duties in New Zealand .
Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Gopal are left out; Agarwal scored just 135 runs in 7 games in last season's edition.
Manish Pandey returns after a two-year absence; Patil and Sisodia last played T20s for Karnataka in 2022 .
Manvanth Kumar L is a key player to watch after hitting two centuries and taking a three-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy.
Karnataka open against Bengal on 14 November at the Wankhede Stadium .
Karnataka have named their squad for the opening three matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026/27, with batters Rohan Patil, Luvnith Sisodia, and Manish Pandey all earning recalls, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced on Friday, 6 November 2026. The selection marks a notable reshuffle, with senior names making way for returning performers ahead of a competitive group-stage campaign.
Smaran R. to Lead, Senior Duo Left Out
Smaran R. has been named captain, returning from New Zealand where he is part of the India A red-ball setup. Notably absent from the squad are Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Gopal, who served as stand-in captains during Karnataka's last two Ranji Trophy victories. The pair's exclusion is linked to underwhelming returns in last season's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy — Agarwal managed 135 runs in seven games, while Gopal contributed just 25 runs and five wickets with his leg-spin.
Key Returners and Ones to Watch
Pandey, who had been listed among the probables, makes his return to Karnataka's senior setup after a gap of two years. Patil and Sisodia last turned out in T20 cricket for the state in 2022, making their recalls the most striking aspect of the selection. All-rounder Manvanth Kumar L is another player to watch closely — he impressed during the first leg of the Ranji Trophy with two centuries and a three-wicket haul. A strong showing in the shortest format could boost his prospects for an IPL contract, having featured for Delhi Capitals in the 2025 season.
Batting Depth and Bowling Blueprint
Karnataka's batting unit looks well-stocked on paper, with Karun Nair, Abhinav Manohar, and Smaran providing further depth alongside the returnees. The bowling, however, may ultimately determine how deep a run Karnataka make in the tournament. Pacers Vyshak V, Vidwath Kaverappa, and Abhilash Shetty will spearhead the seam attack, while spinners Shikhar Shetty and Ritesh Bhatkal will share slow-bowling duties alongside leg-spinner Pravin Dubey.
Fixtures and Venues
Karnataka are placed in Elite Group A and open their campaign against Bengal on 14 November. They then face Uttar Pradesh (16 November), Mizoram (18 November), and Jharkhand (20 November) at the Wankhede Stadium. The remaining group fixtures — against Chandigarh (22 November), Rajasthan (24 November), and Baroda (26 November) — will be played at the Sharad Pawar BKC Academy Ground.
Full Squad: Smaran R. (captain), Rohan A. Patil, Luvnith Sisodia (wk), Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, Abhinav Manohar, Shikhar Shetty, Manvanth Kumar L, Pravin Dubey, Vyshak V, Vidwath Kaverappa, Abhilash Shetty, Shrijith KL (wk), Aneeshwar Gautam, Ritesh Bhatkal.
With a balanced squad and several players motivated to prove their worth, Karnataka will be eyeing a strong start when the tournament gets underway later this month.
Point of View
Not seniority, drives squad decisions here. Pandey's recall after two years is the most intriguing subplot: at his best he remains one of domestic cricket's most watchable batters, but his consistency has long been questioned. The bigger structural question for Karnataka is whether this bowling attack — capable but not dominant — can carry a batting-heavy lineup deep into the knockout rounds. India's domestic T20 circuit increasingly functions as an IPL audition, and with Manvanth Kumar L's stock rising, the KSCA selection sends a clear message about the direction of travel.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been named Karnataka's captain for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026/27?
Smaran R. has been named captain for Karnataka's campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026/27. He returns to lead the side after completing duties with the India A red-ball squad in New Zealand.
Why have Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Gopal been left out of Karnataka's squad?
Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Gopal have been excluded despite captaining Karnataka to their last two Ranji Trophy wins. Both had underwhelming returns in last season's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy — Agarwal scored 135 runs in seven games, while Gopal managed just 25 runs and five wickets.
When did Manish Pandey last play for Karnataka?
Manish Pandey last featured for Karnataka's senior setup approximately two years ago. He was listed among the probables and has now earned a full recall for the first three matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026/27.
Where will Karnataka play their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy group matches?
Karnataka's first four group matches — against Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, and Jharkhand — will be played at the Wankhede Stadium. Their remaining three group fixtures against Chandigarh, Rajasthan, and Baroda are scheduled at the Sharad Pawar BKC Academy Ground.
Who is Manvanth Kumar L and why is he a player to watch?
Manvanth Kumar L is a Karnataka all-rounder who impressed in the first leg of the Ranji Trophy with two centuries and a three-wicket haul. He was part of the Delhi Capitals squad in the 2025 IPL season, and a strong showing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy could enhance his chances of securing a fresh IPL contract.
