Karnataka Take 103-Run Lead Against Tripura in Ranji Trophy Group B Match
Karnataka reached 297 for seven at stumps on Tuesday to secure a 103-run first-innings lead over Tripura on day two of their Ranji Trophy Group B match at the SDNRW Ground in Mysuru. Despite taking their first innings lead of the season, the hosts missed opportunities to build a dominant advantage on a pitch where the odd ball kept low, scoring at 3.2 runs per over.
Head coach R Vinay Kumar noted that the match is a must-win contest for Karnataka. With just two points from their previous two games, Karnataka require a victory to maintain their hopes of reaching the knockouts.
Top-Order Batsmen Build Karnataka Response
Resuming their first innings at 10 for one in response to Tripura's total of 194, Karnataka adopted a cautious approach. Nightwatchman Vyshak Vijaykumar was the first to fall on Tuesday, edging Sandeep Sarkar to wicketkeeper Sentu Sarkar for 12, leaving the team at 36 for two after 20 overs.
Rohan Patil and KV Aneesh then combined for an 82-run partnership for the third wicket. Rohan brought up his maiden first-class half-century off 88 balls with a back-foot punch through the covers. His innings ended at 72 off 130 balls, including nine boundaries, when he was trapped leg-before attempting to flick a fuller delivery from Abhijith Sarkar.
Nair and Aneesh Extend Advantage
Karun Nair joined Aneesh and accelerated the scoring, contributing 68 off 85 balls with eight boundaries. Nair, who was dropped on 11 by wicketkeeper Sentu off Bikram Debnath, added 105 runs alongside Aneesh before Sandip Sarkar trapped him leg-before playing forward.
Aneesh departed shortly after for 68 off 142 balls (six boundaries), miscuing a short delivery from Parvez Sultan to Sandip at midwicket. Tripura's bowlers quickly took further wickets as skipper Shreyas Gopal was bowled by Sultan for 19, and KL Shrijith was caught by Bikram Das at cover off Abhijith for 13.
Aneeshwar Gautam, batting on 33, and Manvanth Kumar, on 6, navigated the final overs to reach stumps. Manvanth struck two sixes over long-on and midwicket during his brief stay.
Brief Scores and Other Group B Matches
At stumps, Abhijith Sarkar held figures of 2 for 59, while Sandip Sarkar (2 for 83) and Parvez Sultan (2 for 74) also claimed two wickets each for Tripura.
- Mysuru: Tripura 194; Karnataka 297/7 in 95 overs (Rohan Patil 72, KV Aneesh 68, Karun Nair 68, Aneeshwar Gautam 33 batting; Abhijith Sarkar 2/59, Sandip Sarkar 2/83, Parvez Sultan 2/74).
- Secunderabad: Punjab 431 all out in 124.5 overs (Salil Arora 151, Prabhsimran Singh 81, Ramandeep Singh 52; Chama Milind 4-79, Rakshan Readdi 3-80) vs Hyderabad 193/2 in 54 overs (Abhirath Reddy 97, Rahul Radesh 72 batting).
- Rajkot: Assam 281 vs Saurashtra 156/4 in 68 overs (Hetvik Kotak 65 batting).
- Vijayawada: Andhra 231 all out vs Chhattisgarh 216/8 in 95 overs (Amandeep Khare 74 batting, Anuj Tiwary 34; T Vijay 3-73).
