On Day 1 of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Saurashtra on Wednesday, solid half-centuries from Devdutt Padikkal, Karun Nair, and R Smaran helped Karnataka recover to reach a decent score of 295. for five.

While Saurashtra always chipped away with regular breakthroughs, Karnataka’s resolve shone through the course of the day thanks to important partnerships in the middle order.

After left-arm spinner Dharmendra Jadeja got Karnataka off to a poor start by dismissing Nikin Jose and Mayank Agarwal early, Padikkal (96, 141b, 11×4) and Nair (73, 126b, 9×4) shared a wonderful partnership worth 146 runs for the third wicket.

Smaran-Gopal partnership lifts Karnataka late in the day

With Karnataka at 26 for two after electing to bat first, they could be said to be in a precarious position, but Padikkal and Nair displayed differing styles that complemented each other and seemed to establish their partnerships. Padikkal was particularly fluent on the offside, using crisp cuts and drives to find boundaries. Conversely, Nair sought the leg side as he scored five of his nine fours to the leg side behind square. With smart shot selection and composure, Nair and Padikkal put Karnataka back on track after an iffy start.

Jadeja, however, would almost single-handedly turn the session back towards Saurashtra, first trapping Nair in front, then later bowling Padikkal to finally break the backbone of success in what was appearing to. be a Karnataka innings. Nair was dismissed for 96, having played a worryingly timed pull shot, and you couldn’t help but feel sorry that it ended that way for a superb knock that may have easily been a hundred.

Karnataka was sitting at 195 for four at this inopportune juncture. However, Smaran (66, 120b, 4×4, 2×6)* and Shreyas Gopal (38, 70b)* had back-ended the sixth wicket unbroken partnership for 81 runs. Smaran carried his elegance through the covers; well-timed and well-placed with his off side strokes and Gopal was calm and composed while establishing the vital roles in the last session.
(With PTI Inputs)