Karnataka coach Vinay Kumar ready to guide young players through Ranji pressures

Karnataka will be without several key players for their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 opener against Andhra Pradesh. Injuries have ruled out fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna, V. Vyshak and Vidwath Kaverappa from the match.

Additionally, India and India-A call-ups will keep star batsmen K.L. Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and R. Smaran away from the squad. This depletes Karnataka's resources significantly for the opening fixture of the domestic season.

Coach Vinay Kumar has signalled his readiness to support younger players stepping into first-class cricket, helping them navigate the demands and pressures of competing at this level. The absence of experienced campaigners will test both the squad's depth and the coaching staff's ability to guide less-experienced talent through challenging fixtures.