Karnataka chase consistency

Bengaluru: A little over two weeks ago, Kerala produced a quality spell of fast bowling to have Maharashtra staring at embarrassment at 18 for 5 in 10.4 overs on a green top at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. 

However, a mere 9.3 kilometres away is the KCA Stadium in Mangalapuram – where Karnataka will face Kerala in their third Elite Group B fixture – the wicket is expected to be slightly on the slower side, with some grass likely to be stripped off before the game. 

The conditions are expected to influence both Karnataka (four points) and Kerala (two points), who are looking for outright wins, to have their spinners play bigger role. 

For a team that has flirted with inconsistency over the last few seasons, the upcoming game offers Karnataka a chance to build on the three points they got in Shivamogga in their quest for a top-two finish in a tricky group. 

The visitors will seek a better batting display and the team management will want to see some runs, especially against Nikin Jose and Shrijith KL's names. 

Nikin has scored just 49 runs in three innings at an average of 16.33, while Shrijith has managed 36 runs, averaging 12. 

The two batters have struggled to put up a good show in a line-up where all other top-five batters (Mayank Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal, Karun Nair, Smaran R) have notched up at least one fifty. 

With Aneesh KV breathing down Nikin's neck from the bench, there could be a straight swap at the top to partner Agarwal, if the team thinks it is time. 

On the bowling front, Karnataka will be delighted with Vidwath Kaverappa's impressive performance in the last round, coming back after a long break, along with Vyshak Vijaykumar's return from injury. 

The visitors will also be happy with Abhilash Shetty's (3/74) returns as he proved to be quite effective with the new ball. 

In Vidwath, Vyshak, Abhilash and Yashovardhan Parantap, Karnataka have a good blend of youth and experience in the seam bowling department. 

However, if they feel the surface is dry underneath, the 22-year-old off-spinner Mohsin Khan should take Yashovardhan's place, adding variety to the spin-bowling arsenal alongside leggie Shreyas Gopal. 

Turning to the Kerala camp, they will not be a pleased bunch, having registered just two points in two games after making the final last season. 

With pressure starting to slowly mount, they will hope to give more than a few rough moments and go for all seven points but they will be hard-pressed to stop a strong on-paper Karnataka unit, despite having a home advantage. 

Karnataka (probable XI): Mayank Agarwal (c), Nikin Jose/Aneesh KV, Shrijith KL (wk), Karun Nair,  Smaran R, Abhinav Manohar, Shreyas Gopal, Vyshak Vijayakumar, Abhilash Shetty, Yahsovardhan Parantap/Mohsin Khan, Vidwath Kaverappa.

Kerala squad: Mohammed Azharuddeen (c), B. Aparajith, Rohan Kunnummal, Vathsal Govind, Akshay Chandran, Sachin Baby, Salman Nizar, Ankit Sharma, MD Nidheesh, NP Basil, Eden Apple Tom, Ahammed Imran, Shoun Roger, Abhishek Nair.

Other Group B fixtures: Maharashtra vs Saurashtra (Nasik); Punjab vs Goa (New Chandigarh); Madhya Pradesh vs Chandigarh (Indore).