We will continue to be aggressive, says Shashikanth

Karnataka coach P V Shashikanth, who took charge of the team this season, expressed delight at the rousing start made by his wards and vowed to play the same ruthless cricket as they look to regain their crown.

Karnataka, who endured disappointing campaigns the previous two seasons, have looked like they've regained their mojo, posting two innings victories and another hard-fought win to seal top spot in Group A.

"We are getting into the groove. We have got all our bases covered - be it fast-bowling department, batting or spin bowling. I wouldn't call it a weak link but we didn't have anyone to support (K) Gowtham. He did well last season and we were working on Shreyas Gopal. Shreyas also has done really well in the two games he has played," said Shashikanth on Saturday.

"Everything is falling in place. We are taking it one match at a time but we want to be ruthless. We want to play the same brand of cricket right through the season - be aggressive and attacking. We will go all out in the rest of the games," he declared.

Karnataka, who scored an unprecedented double-treble (winning Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup and Vijay Hazare in 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons), were hit by the exodus of K L Rahul, Karun Nair and Manish Pandey to the national team the previous two seasons. Shashikanth said he's countered that by grooming other batsmen to try and fill the void.

"When we started the season, we knew that they will be doing duty for the national team. We worked on the second line of the batsmen and that is where (Kaunain) Abbas, Pavan (Deshpande), (D) Nischal fit in. We worked on them. Whenever KL, Manish or Karun are there, it will be a bonus for us. It's good that these guys are also doing well. (R) Samarth leads the race amongst the guys who have not played for the country but is on the verge. Samarth has played brilliant so far and that will rub onto the other batsmen. Just imagine, the availability of KL and Manish. That will fortify our middle order."

Shashikant also felt having worked with some of the current players at the age-group cricket has helped him ease into the new job. "They have been with me since the under-19 and under-22 days. It makes my job easier because of the understanding. I don't have to really get to the bottom of it. They know the temperament I have. We share a good working relationship from the under-19 days. Now it's all about man management. We have reached a stage where it's all about fine-tuning their skills. We (coaching staff) don't really meddle with their bating. We just keep giving them fresh challenges and they are accepting it brilliantly."