SMAT 2025-26: Padikkal, Karun included in Karnataka squad; Shikhar, Shreevathsa receive maiden call-up
The Mayank Agarwal-led Karnataka squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali (T20) Trophy has two new faces in Shikhar Shetty and Shreevathsa R. Acharya.
Left-arm spinner Shikhar debuted this season in the Ranji Trophy and has given a good account of himself in three matches so far. His handy batting has seemingly swayed the selectors to try him out in the shortest format.
Shreevathsa, predominantly a right-arm pacer, turned out for Mangaluru Dragons, which won the 2025 Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20.
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India international Devdutt Padikkal has been chosen too, and he is expected to join the team latest by the second match, depending on his selection in the playing XI against South Africa in the Guwahati Test.
The addition of Prasidh Krishna and K.L. Rahul will be contingent to their involvement for India in the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa.
Karnataka, placed in Elite Group D alongside the likes of Tamil Nadu, Saurashtra and Delhi, will open proceedings on November 26 against Uttarakhand.
FULL SQUAD:
Mayank Agarwal (Capt.), Macneil H. Noronha, K.L. Shrijith, Karun Nair, R. Smaran, Abhinav Manohar, Shreyas Gopal, Shikhar Shetty, V. Vyshak, Vidwath Kaverappa, Vidyadhar Patil, Shreevathsa R. Acharya, Shubhang Hegde, Pravin Dubey, B.R. Sharath, Devdutt Padikkal.
Published on Nov 20, 2025
