Mayank Agarwal receives fitness clearance to return for Ranji Trophy 2024

Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal has received fitness clearance to return to cricket. He will make a comeback in the ongoing 2023-24 Ranji Trophy, having missed the previous round (fifth) due to a health emergency. 

He had consumed a liquid while onboard a flight from Agartala after Karnataka's game against Tripura, which his side won by 29 runs. He suffered a bout of vomiting and was subsequently deplaned and admitted to a hospital in Agartala. The 32-year-old traveled back to Bengaluru after getting discharged and underwent a medical examination. 

The medical team has given a clearance of Agarwal's fitness and suggested that he should take a couple of days' break before taking part in a game. On Monday, February 5, he joined the squad to lead the side in the southern derby against Tamil Nadu at Chepauk starting on February 9. The Karnataka skipper told ESPNcricinfo that he was "fit and fine and there were no major issues."

In his absence, Karnataka were led by youngster Nikin Jose. He contributed significantly to the side, scoring 107 runs in the second outing against Goa in Mysuru and the match ended in a draw. Later, Karnataka suffered a stiff challenge against the Railways in Surat. They were bundled out for 174 in the first innings and chased down 226 with one wicket in hand, thanks to an unbeaten 67 from Manish Pandey. 

Meanwhile, Agarwal has so far accumulated 310 runs in seven innings at an average of 44.28, with a century and two half-centuries. Karnataka are currently standing second in Group C, with two wins and a loss and draw apeice in four matches.

Karnataka squad: Mayank Agarwal (c), Devdutt Padikkal, R Samarth, Nikin Jose, Manish Pandey, Sharath Srinivas (wk), Aneesh KV, Vyshak Vijayakumar, V Koushik, K Shashikumar, Sujay Sateri (wk), M Venkatesh, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kishan Bedare, Rohit Kumar, Hardik Raj