![Manish Pandey returns to Karnataka squad [Source - AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794025148269_ManishPandeySMAT.jpg?type=hq)
Manish Pandey returns to Karnataka squad [Source - AFP]
Karnataka have announced their squad for the 2026 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The domestic T20 tournament kicks off on November 14, with the selectors making several notable changes ahead of the campaign.
The squad has been announced for the first three games, with former captain Manish Pandey returning after nearly two years. Meanwhile, Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Gopal have been left out.
R Smaran to Captain Karnataka's 15-Member Squad for SMAT 2026
Karnataka have announced their 15-member squad for the first three matches of the 2026 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. R. Smaran will captain the side, while former skipper Manish Pandey returns to the state team after nearly two years.
Pandey scored 291 runs in nine innings during the Maharaja T20 Trophy 2026, averaging 58.20 at a strike-rate of 177.44. He is also Karnataka's second-highest T20 run-scorer, with 2,125 runs in 87 matches at an average of 32.19 and a strike-rate of 127.55.
Karnataka Squad: Smaran R (C), Rohan A Patil, Luvnith Sisodia, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, Abhinav Manohar, Manvanth Kumar L, Shikhar Shetty, Pravin Dubey, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Vidwath Kaverappa, Abhilash Shetty, Shrijith KL, Aneeshwar Gautam and Ritesh Bhatkal.
Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Gopal Dropped but Could Return Later in SMAT 2026
Former Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal and wrist-spinner Shreyas Gopal have been left out of the squad announced for the first three matches. However, both could still return if the selectors make changes to the squad later in the tournament.
Karnataka are placed in Elite Group A and will begin their SMAT 2026 campaign against Bengal on November 14. All three matches in the announced squad window will take place at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.
Karnataka's first three fixtures in SMAT 2026
- November 14 vs Bengal
- November 16 vs Uttar Pradesh
- November 18 vs Mizoram
The team will then face defending champions Jharkhand at the Wankhede Stadium before moving to the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in BKC, Mumbai, for their remaining three group-stage matches.
Karnataka are two-time Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy champions but had a poor campaign last season, managing just two wins in seven matches. They will look to turn things around and make a stronger push for the title this time.
