Karnataka pacer Sharath ruled out of Ranji semis

Karnataka pacer HS Sharath (in pic) and top-order batsman Ravikumar Samarth have been ruled out of the Karnataka squad for the Ranji semifinal against Punjab due to injury concerns. The match will be played at Mohali’s PCA Stadium from 18 January. Both players sustained injuries on the second day of the quarterfinal match against Uttar Pradesh on January 9. They sustained injuries while fielding. Samarth batted at No 9 in the second innings, but Sharath did not take the field. Despite Sharath’s absence, Karnataka went on to register their sixth outright victory by thrashing UP by 92 runs. Mayank Agarwal and Srinath Aravind have come in place of Sharath and Samarth, respectively. Sharath is the second-highest wicket-taker for Karnataka this season after Abhimanyu Mithun, who has 36 wickets in eight matches.