Karnataka vs Saurashtra Prediction – Ranji Trophy 2025/26 | Head to Head, Lineups, Stats & Betting Tips
The Karnataka vs Saurashtra prediction for the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 promises an exciting clash between two of India’s most competitive domestic sides.
Karnataka, led by Mayank Agarwal, are known for their consistent batting lineup and disciplined bowling unit featuring Shreyas Gopal and Shahbaz Nadeem.
Saurashtra, captained by Jaydev Unadkat, rely on experienced all-rounders and spinners like Karan Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara to dominate in longer formats.
This 4-day encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, is expected to favor Karnataka slightly due to home advantage, but Saurashtra’s form in recent seasons makes them strong contenders.
Match Details
| Match | Karnataka vs Saurashtra, Ranji Trophy 2025/26 |
|---|---|
| Date | October 23 – October 26, 2025 |
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Format | First-Class (4 Days) |
| Competition | Ranji Trophy 2025/26 – Elite Group A |
| Toss Prediction | Team winning toss likely to bat first |
| Pitch Report | Batting-friendly; spinners may dominate later sessions; early seam assistance limited |
| Weather | Clear skies, ideal for uninterrupted four-day cricket |
Karnataka Team Preview
Karnataka’s batting strength lies in top-order consistency with Mayank Agarwal and Ravikumar Samarth providing stability.
All-rounders like Shreyas Gopal strengthen the team’s bowling depth, while Karun Nair offers versatility in middle-order batting.
Their bowling unit, led by Shreyas Gopal and Abhimanyu Mithun, is capable of exploiting early morning conditions and providing breakthroughs in crucial moments.
Key Players for Karnataka
- Mayank Agarwal (c) – Captain and top-order batter, anchors innings.
- Ravikumar Samarth – Experienced opener, sets platform.
- Shreyas Gopal – All-rounder and strike bowler, key in middle overs.
- Abhimanyu Mithun – Fast bowler, vital for early breakthroughs.
Saurashtra Team Preview
Saurashtra boasts a solid lineup with seasoned campaigners. Captain Jaydev Unadkat leads the bowling attack, while Cheteshwar Pujara anchors the innings with classical technique.
Middle-order batters like Chetan Sakariya and Karan Sharma provide stability, and spinners such as Rahul Tewatia add control in the latter part of the match.
Key Players for Saurashtra
- Jaydev Unadkat (c) – Captain and strike bowler, leads bowling attack.
- Cheteshwar Pujara – Veteran opener/middle-order anchor.
- Karan Sharma – All-rounder, key for middle-order stability.
- Chetan Sakariya – Medium-fast bowler, important for breakthroughs.
Head-to-Head Record
| Teams | Matches Played | Karnataka Wins | Saurashtra Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka vs Saurashtra | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Karnataka have the edge historically, particularly at home, but Saurashtra has been competitive in tight contests.
Predicted Playing XIs
Karnataka
- Mayank Agarwal (c)
- Ravikumar Samarth
- Karun Nair
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Shreyas Gopal
- K.S. Bharat (wk)
- Abhimanyu Mithun
- Prasidh Krishna
- Jagadeesha Suchith
- Arshad Khan
- Ganesh Satish
Saurashtra
- Cheteshwar Pujara
- Chetan Sakariya
- Jaydev Unadkat (c)
- Karan Sharma
- Sheldon Jackson
- Chirag Jani
- Rahul Tewatia
- Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (wk)
- Harshad Patel
- Jaydev Vaghasiya
- Hardik Patel
Match Prediction
Karnataka’s experienced top-order, home advantage, and balanced bowling unit make them slight favorites.
Saurashtra’s resilience, key spinners, and experienced batters could keep the match competitive if conditions suit them in the latter days.
Predicted Winner: Karnataka (likely to win by 6–7 wickets or first-innings lead)
Betting Tips & Match Odds
- Match Winner Prediction: Karnataka
- Top Batter (Karnataka): Mayank Agarwal
- Top Batter (Saurashtra): Cheteshwar Pujara
- Top Bowler (Karnataka): Shreyas Gopal
- Top Bowler (Saurashtra): Jaydev Unadkat
- First-Innings Total Range: 300–350 runs
- Toss Tip: Bat first to make use of early batting-friendly conditions
Conclusion
The Karnataka vs Saurashtra Ranji Trophy 2025/26 match is expected to be a competitive four-day game with Karnataka having a slight edge due to home advantage and experienced lineup.
Saurashtra’s consistency and skilled bowlers ensure a closely fought contest.
