Rahul plays an influential role in Karnataka’s progress to the final

The last time K.L. Rahul played three or more Ranji Trophy matches in a single campaign was way back in 2014-15. It was the second of Karnataka’s double-treble seasons — winning the Ranji, Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Irani Trophy twice over — and the last of the Southern powerhouse’s eight red-ball titles.

In 2025-26, Rahul, 33, has turned out for his State thrice in succession and the grand finale against Jammu & Kashmir in Hubballi from Tuesday is set to be his fourth.

A superstitious Karnataka fan will see this as a divine coincidence, but what is undisputed is the value Rahul brings, both in letter (457 runs from six innings including two centuries) and spirit.

“KL has made a huge impact,” said coach Yere Goud. “We have young players like R. Smaran and K.V. Aneesh, and he can tell as a batsman what they need to do and how to tackle certain situations. So him being there has given confidence.”

Rahul was one of five Test cricketers in the recent Karnataka playing XI, along with Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Devdutt Padikkal and Prasidh Krishna. And Smaran, who has scored a chart-topping 950 runs — including two double-centuries and as many centuries — in only his second Ranji campaign, has benefitted immensely.

“Karun has been with us since the start of the season, and he bats at No. 4 and I bat at No. 5,” Smaran explained. “A lot of batting happens together and there is a lot of input from him as to how to take the innings [forward] and how to convert starts into big scores.

“And KL puts his State on top whenever he’s playing for Karnataka. He has a lot of inputs to give, be it for a bowler, a batter or a ‘keeper. It boosts the morale of the entire team when such a senior player is helping,” the 22-year-old added.

For 23-year-old Kruthik Krishna, who has impressed both as a wicketkeeper and batter in his three First Class outings so far, Rahul is an idol.

“He has done everything possible when it comes to batting, whether it is opening or at No. 6, No. 7, and he is also a ‘keeper,” said Kruthik.

“So, having him is a boost. I can learn how to plan and shape my innings, and that’s irrespective of the performance. That simplifies your game a lot, rather than you thinking about the pitch, the opposition and all of that.”

If Rahul’s final act as an agent of influence culminates in Karnataka’s ninth triumph, it will be full-circle moment.