Nikin, Smaran make the cut

Bengaluru: Some of the top performers from the KSCA Maharaja Trophy T20 tournament have been rewarded with call-ups in the probables list for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament and the BCCI U-23 State ‘A’ Trophy. Top wicket-takers and pacers Manvanth Kumar and Abhilash Shetty have been included.
Among the senior probables, 13 of last year's squad of 15 have been included.While top-order batter Rohan Patil has been left out but finds himself among U-23 campers, Shreyas Gopal has switched allegiance to Kerala. Devdutt Padikkal, who missed the Maharaja Trophy due to an injury sustained during the Deodhar Trophy, has regained fitness and retains his place.
Batter Nikin Jose, who had a stellar 2022-23 debut season, has found a place along with the other youngsters like Monish Reddy and R Smaran. Wicketkeeper-bat KL Shrijith, who faded after a less-than-impressive T20 debut in the 2020-21 season, has returned on the back of consistent performances. Youngsters like Shubhang Hegde, Monish, Smaran, Manvanth figure among both the senior and U-23 probables.
Although KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna are unlikely to be available, they have been included for the purpose of registering players with the BCCI for the season.
In a departure from the norm, KSCA is yet to name the coaches and support staff for the season for both the men and women. This is surprising considering there is just about a month for the season to begin and most of the state units have already began preparations. But going by the list of probables, PV Shashikant has been retained as the senior men’s coach and Rajshekar Shanbal will helm the U-23 unit.
Mushtaq Ali is scheduled to begin on October 8 and the U-23 competition on October 28. Before that the Women's U-19 Trophy (Oct 8-26) and Vinoo Mankad Trophy (Oct 12-30) will be held but the probables or coaches for these age-group teams are yet to be announced.