Karnataka face Andhra without injured pacers
Karnataka start the new Ranji season missing four frontline pacers and will rely on inexperienced replacements.
Karnataka begin their Ranji Trophy campaign against Andhra at Mulapadu on Sunday without four frontline pacers. Prasidh Krishna, Vidwath Kaverappa, V. Vyshak and Vidyadhar Patil are all injured.
R. Smaran will captain the side on his first-class debut in place of Devdutt Padikkal. Abhilash Shetty and M. Venkatesh, who both have five caps, will lead the attack alongside two uncapped bowlers.
Andhra are led by Ricky Bhui and coached by Gary Stead. Off-spinner T. Vijay, who has taken 50 first-class wickets in the past two seasons, will be a key bowler for the hosts.
CricHubb Take
The absence of established pacers tests whether Karnataka's batting depth can compensate for an unproven attack from the outset.