Devdutt Padikkal to Captain Karnataka in Ranji Trophy Final vs J&K

Devdutt Padikkal will lead Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy final on Tuesday, marking a key milestone in his career. Karnataka face Jammu and Kashmir, led by veteran batter Paras Dogra.

Padikkal had battled a stomach illness during the 2022 to 23 season, which forced him to step away from competitive cricket to regain fitness. He returned to form and earned his India Test cap nearly two years ago.

Speaking ahead of the final, Padikkal said the transition to captaincy was not easy. “It wasn’t easy. At the same time, when you have the experience that I had around me, it becomes much easier. Honestly, I didn’t feel the pressure,” he said.

Referring to Karnataka’s semifinal performance, he added, “Scoring over 1000 runs in the semifinal (vs Uttarakhand) is a big confidence booster, not just for the batters, but for the bowlers as well. It gives them the freedom to enjoy themselves with the ball.”

On the other side, Dogra said Jammu and Kashmir will rely on clarity and composure. “We’re trying to be calm and composed. We’ll stick to our basics. Also, our skill levels in both batting and bowling are good,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir head coach Ajay Sharma said the team is focused on the contest rather than reputations. “We don’t think about the players — be it KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, or anyone else. It’s a game of bat and ball. I tell the batters not to think about the bowler’s name, instead see the ball and hit it. The bowlers, too, go into a match with a similar mindset,” Sharma said.

Jammu and Kashmir are aiming for their maiden Ranji Trophy title, while Karnataka look to add another domestic crown under Padikkal’s leadership.