3 months ago
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Uttarakhand’s mesmerising tally successful the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy experienced a sobering world cheque arsenic Karnataka buried it nether a upland of runs connected time 2 of the semifinal astatine the Ekana Cricket Stadium present connected Monday.
From an overnight 355 for two, the eight-time champion finished connected a mammoth 689 for six, with skipper Devdutt Padikkal smashing his maiden First Class treble period (232, 330b, 29x4, 3x6) and R. Smaran his 5th ton (121 batting, 191b, 11x4).
Karun Nair would beryllium gutted for not capitalising connected the large batting conditions, falling arsenic helium did for 60 (105b, 8x4, 1x6), caught down playing a escaped changeable to speedster Abhay Negi.
That Karnataka meant concern from the get-go connected the 2nd greeting was evident successful Padikkal’s urgency. The southpaw unleashed an array of sublime drives, flicks and cuts, and nonchalantly reverse-swept Uttarakhand’s frontline spinner Mayank Mishra.
The 25-year-old accumulated 52 runs from arsenic galore balls to breach the coveted double-hundred people and permission down his erstwhile champion of 193 (vs. Punjab successful January 2024).
His dismissal was an anti-climax, with wicketkeeper Saurabh Rawat taking a crisp debased drawback down the leg-side disconnected part-time spinner Lakshya Raichandani’s 3rd ball.
Smaran batted with singular poise and was meticulous successful his run-making. | Photo Credit: R.V. MOORTHY
But Smaran ensured that Padikkal’s exit wouldn’t disturb the Karnataka batting parade successful the slightest.
The 22-year-old batted with singular poise and was meticulous successful his run-making erstwhile being complacent and trying to play fancy shots would not person felt incongruous connected a placid track.
That helium accumulated much than fractional his runs successful singles told the communicative (71 of 121). It was lone apt that helium reached the three-figure people with a tapped azygous to mid-on.
Wicketkeeper Kruthik Krishna, too, enjoyed his stay, scoring his archetypal Ranji half-century (60, 103b, 6x4, 1x6). His astir eye-catching shots were the 5 boundaries helium deed successful the third-man area.
Vidyadhar Patil (35 batting, 107b, 1x4, 1x6) is conscionable 3 runs shy of his champion First Class score. When the prima shines, it is earthy that everyone volition marque hay.
The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: K.L. Rahul c & b Aditya 141, Mayank Agarwal c Prashant b Aditya 5, Devdutt Padikkal c Saurabh b Raichandani 232, Karun Nair c Saurabh b Abhay 60, R. Smaran (batting) 121, Shreyas Gopal b Aditya 0, Kruthik Krishna b Avneesh 60, Vidyadhar Patil (batting) 35; Extras (b-11, lb-6, nb-5, w-8, p-5): 35; Total (for six wkts. successful 180 overs): 689.
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-296, 3-425, 4-484, 5-485, 6-608.
Uttarakhand bowling: Abhay 29-4-99-1, Janmejay 29-5-94-0, Aditya 29-3-132-3, Mayank 38-1-167-0, Suchith 10-0-43-0, Avneesh 35-2-107-1, Lakshya 10-1-25-1.
