The Karnataka Cricket Team has always been a powerhouse in Indian domestic cricket, and the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season is proving to be no different. Under the leadership of Mayank Agarwal, the eight-time champions are currently making waves in Elite Group B, showcasing a perfect blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars.
Recent Match Highlights: Karnataka Crushes Chandigarh
In a clinical display of red-ball cricket, Karnataka recently secured a massive victory over Chandigarh, winning by an innings and 185 runs at the KSCA Stadium, Hubli.
- Smaran R’s Masterclass: The young batting sensation, Ravichandran Smaran, was the star of the show with a monumental unbeaten 227 off 362 balls*. This followed another double century he scored earlier in the season, marking him as the player to watch this year.
- The Return of Karun Nair: After a brief stint with Vidarbha, Karun Nair is back in the Karnataka colors. He narrowly missed a ton against Chandigarh, falling for a well-made 95, proving his class is permanent.
- Bowling Brilliance: The pace battery led by Vidwath Kaverappa and Vyshak Vijaykumar remains relentless, while Shreyas Gopal continues to be the primary spin threat, having already bagged an 11-wicket match haul against Saurashtra earlier this season.
Points Table & Standings: Elite Group B
As of January 2026, Karnataka is leading the charge in Group B. Here is how the top of the table looks:
| Position | Team | Matches | Points | Key Performer |
| 1 | Karnataka | 5 | 21 | Karun Nair (602 runs) |
| 2 | Maharashtra | 5 | 18 | Prithvi Shaw |
| 3 | Madhya Pradesh | 5 | 17 | Venkatesh Iyer |
Why Karnataka is the Team to Beat This Season
- Top-Order Stability: With Mayank Agarwal and Devdutt Padikkal at the top, Karnataka consistently gets solid starts.
- Middle-Order Firepower: The presence of Nikin Jose and Abhinav Manohar adds depth, while the return of KL Rahul for select matches provides an international-level edge.
- The “Smaran” Factor: R. Smaran is currently among the top run-getters in the tournament, providing the team with the big hundreds needed to post 500+ totals.
