Karnataka’s batting depth gives it edge over J&K in Ranji Trophy final: Vinay Kumar

Former India pacer R. Vinay Kumar said the enviable batting riches in Karnataka’s line-up will give the side a huge upper hand over maiden finalist Jammu and Kashmir cricket team in the Ranji Trophy final, starting here on February 24.

The eight-time champion Karnataka boasts a strong batting unit featuring India stars KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Mayank Agarwal and Karun Nair, and the quartet has fired collectively this season as well.

“Karnataka will have the upper hand for sure because of the kind of experience in the line-up. Starting from KL to Mayank, then Karun and Devdutt, all Indian Test players who have done extremely well in this format,” Vinay told PTI.

Vinay holds the rare distinction of leading Karnataka to back-to-back Ranji Trophy titles in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, and remains the last skipper from the state to lift the domestic silverware.

The former pacer hoped Devdutt, who took over from Agarwal as Karnataka skipper midway through this season, would emulate him.

“He was our captain in the Hubli Tigers in the Karnataka Premier League. I know him very closely. He made his Ranji debut under my captaincy. He is a very nice guy and a very positive person, though he keeps to himself a bit.

“But whenever it comes to tactics, he is really good. He is leading from the front with the bat too. The best example is the way they won that crucial game against Punjab, when he made a hundred while chasing 250 in close to 30 overs. That shows this team has great calibre,” he added.

Vinay also highlighted the variety in Karnataka’s bowling attack, which has delivered consistently this season.

“Of course, we have Prasidh Krishna, a frontline bowler, Vidwath Kaverappa, Vysakh Vijayakumar and Vidyadhar Patil, who are doing really well. Of course, Shreyas Gopal too, who recently bagged his 300th wicket. So, they have a very balanced side.”

However, Vinay cautioned Karnataka against complacency.

“You can’t take this Jammu and Kashmir team lightly because they have a very good leader in Paras Dogra. He was with me when I played for Pondicherry. He is a very nice person. He has also scored 10,000 runs in first-class cricket.

“He has a bundle of experience. Along with that, pacer Auqib Nabi is doing great for them and he has good support from the other bowlers. But yes, Karnataka is a hot favourite to win its ninth Ranji Trophy title,” he added.

The 42-year-old said Karnataka’s openers, Rahul, Agarwal or Devdutt, will have to nullify Jammu and Kashmir’s new-ball burst, which has been key to its run to the final.

“Getting a good start, whether batting or bowling, is important. That first session is going to set the tone for the game. Jammu and Kashmir have never been to a Ranji Trophy final, so there will be many things going on in their mind.

“How much ever the coaches tell them to treat this as any other game, it’s not easy to play this game freely. They might take a little more time compared to Karnataka players to come into rhythm. But they are quality players, especially the pacers.”

ALSO READ: Deflated Australia faces tough questions after underwhelming T20 World Cup campaign

Vinay, a domestic stalwart with 504 first-class wickets, also explained how to tackle Jammu and Kashmir’s pacers.

“If the surface assists seamers, they will have to play close to their body and leave the balls outside. If it’s a flatter track, then they need to play through the line without trying to be very dominating. They have that class in them.”

Touching on a broader topic, Vinay said hosting a marquee event like the Ranji Trophy final in a mofussil area like Hubballi will inspire budding cricketers in the region.

“It’s a huge step. When we were playing, we only heard about Ranji matches, and only once Karnataka played in Davanagere, my hometown. We only used to hear stories from our seniors. Now the Ranji Trophy final is happening here. It’s a great platform for youngsters to go and watch the game.

“There are so many youngsters playing in the Karnataka Ranji side like Vidyadhar and Kruthik Krishna. For them, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy this moment and learn many things.”

Vinay also looked back at the halcyon days of 2013-14 and 2014-15.

“What a great two years. We fought and won against Mumbai and Punjab, all strong sides, with a young team. I remember bowling against Punjab with a shoulder niggle when they were 234 for three.

“I couldn’t watch the match from outside. So I told myself, let me go in and do the captaincy and bowling. I decided to bowl with a short run-up. Somehow, we needed to break that partnership. Then I bowled five or six overs and got five wickets. From there, everything changed.”

Karnataka completed the Ranji double in 2015 at the Wankhede Stadium, beating Tamil Nadu cricket team.

Published on Feb 22, 2026