Meet Ritesh Bhatkal and Shikhar Shetty, spin duo hoping to be Karnataka’s frontline spinners after Ranji Trophy heroics

Ritesh Bhatkal and Shikhar Shetty have given Karnataka’s search for a penetrative spin attack a fresh lease of life. In recent times, Shreyas Gopal, its most experienced spinner and third-highest wicket-taker from last season, has lacked consistent support from the other end. The team has tried at least eight different spinners in the last three seasons, without much returns.

But on Monday, Ritesh and Shikhar showed promise by combining for all ten wickets to skittle out Assam for a paltry 135 in the Ranji Trophy. The spin bowling pair said staying disciplined helped them extract maximum purchase from a dry, grippy surface.

“We were focused and disciplined enough to get those 10 wickets. We kept it tight. See, when I was not getting wickets, he (Ritesh) was getting wickets because I was keeping it tight from one end,” Shikhar told Sportstar.

“It was mostly about varying our pace on a slowish wicket. For example, in an over I would bowl four fast deliveries, and two slower deliveries. Because when you bowl a little quicker, there is a bit of turn. So that was the one thing we kept in mind and we executed it,” Shikhar added.

Different pathways, same destination

Their journeys to the Karnataka team have been starkly different. Shikhar was picked for the 2025-26 season on the back of an impressive showing at the Dr (Capt.) K. Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament where he picked 20 wickets in three matches. He is only 21-years-old and still very much in his early days.

Ritesh, on the other hand, spent the better part of his youth grinding it out in Karnataka’s local leagues. He was rewarded a place in the squad and made his First-Class debut at 33-years-old this year after picking 60 odd wickets in the lower divisions last season.

Despite age not being in his side, Ritesh said his ultimate goal remains playing for the country, though his immediate focus was to help Karnataka end its 11-year title drought.

“Everybody aspires to play for the country, but for now, I want to win as many games for Karnataka as possible. I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, I have worked hard for seven to eight years for it,” Ritesh said.

The role of off-spin has diminished in white-ball cricket today but Ritesh has got a few tricks up his sleeve should he get a Vijay Hazare or a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy call-up.

“You just need to have variations. I’ve been working on a carrom ball and a few other things in the nets,” he added.

Learning from Shreyas

While Ritesh recorded his first five-wicket haul against Assam in his fourth Ranji game, it was Shikhar’s fourth fifer in the competition, and his third this season. Overall, Shikhar’s numbers tell a decent story, having picked 40 wickets in ten matches at an average of 30.75.

But this season, he has unlocked a new gear - the left-armer has picked 18 wickets at a miserly average of 17.00. Shikhar points to increased off-season camps and learning from Shreyas as key reasons behind his improvement.

“We’ve had a lot of off-season camps, so in those camps, we, Bugsy (nickname for Shreyas) and I have been working a lot on our spot bowling and giving more revs on the ball. Because on certain wickets where there is no turn, more revs only help. If there are no revs on the ball on flat wickets, we won’t be getting any wickets. So that’s one thing that I’ve learned from him,” Shikhar said.

FILE PHOTO: Shikhar points to increased off-season camps and learning from Shreyas Gopal as key reasons behind his improvement. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

Interestingly, spin bowling was not Shikhar’s first calling. The 21-year-old developed interest in the sport after watching his father, who was a tennis-ball cricketer, play on the streets of Bengaluru. Shikhar was a fast bowler during his early childhood, before his coach advised him to switch to spin when he was 12-years-old.

“I’m not very tall so the logic was I would fare better as a spinner,” Shikhar added.

With his place in the side locked in after his performances, Shikhar believes he has what it takes to become Karnataka’s next frontline spinner.

“I think I feel like I’m on the right track. I think I’ve just started, so I have to keep up the good work and not relax at any point in time. And for me, the team always comes first. I feel we’ve gotten the momentum now after winning the last game and doing well in the first innings in this game. So, I feel we should just carry the momentum because in such a big, long tournament like the Ranji Trophy, having the momentum is very important.”

Published on Nov 03, 2026

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