SCOREBOX
Karnataka, 1st innings, 371 in 110.1 overs (Karun Nair 174*; Vasuki Koushik 3-35, Arjun Tendulkar 3-100) vs Goa, 1st innings, 28-1 in 13 overs. Goa trail by 343 runs
PANAJI
Karun Nair’s classy unbeaten 174, and his magnificent sixth-wicket 117-run alliance with all-rounder Shreyas Gopal (57) gave Karnataka the upper hand, as Goa responded with 28/1, still trailing by 343 runs at stumps in a second-round Ranji Trophy Elite Group B fixture at the KSCA Navule Stadium in Shimoga on Sunday.
Starting the morning session at 222-5, hosts Karnataka added another 23 runs to their overnight score when Shreyas Gopal lost his wicket on 57, slashing the ball to Snehal Kauthankar at first slip off right-arm medium Vijesh Prabhudessai. Before returning to the hut, Gopal played an able foil as Karun Nair struck his first hundred after returning to Karnataka from Vidarbha.
Karun brought up his 25th first-class century in style with a scorching boundary past the point region off right-arm off-break Lalit Yadav. The landmark came off 163 deliveries, with 274 minutes spent at the crease, and with eight hits to the ropes and a maximum.
Meanwhile, Yashovardhan Parantap made 14 before holing out to Vijesh at mid-off off Vasuki Kaushik as Karnataka slid to 271-7 in the 84th over. Any prospect of the visitors restricting the home side to under 300 was put to bed as Vyshak V, batting at nine, showcased his credentials with the bat. The lower-order batter batted with aplomb to forge an entertaining 60-run eighth-wicket stand with senior partner Karun Nair.
Vyshak eventually fell for a well-made 31 while playing across the line to be adjudged leg before to slow left-arm orthodox Darshan Misal. New man Abhilash Shetty on 2 provided company to Karun Nair, batting on 140 (226b, 12x4, 1x6), when lunch was called with Karnataka set for a decent first-innings score at 336-8.
Post resumption, it took only 9.1 overs for the visitors to wrap up hosts Karnataka’s first innings. Nair went into overdrive to remain unconquered on a chanceless unbeaten 174 (267b, 435m, 14x4, 3x6) as he ran out of partners. Karun brought up his 150 (237b, 408m, 12x4, 2x6) with a spectacular six over mid-wicket off Tendulkar.
Abhilash Shetty (2) nicked one to Abhinav Tejrana at second slip, while Vidwath Kaverappa was dismissed for a nine-ball duck after he was involved in a run-out. Karnataka ended their first essay at a respectable 371.
In reply, Goa opener Manthan Khutkar fell early for 9, nicking a delivery to Karnataka wicketkeeper K L Shrijith off left-arm medium Abhilash Shetty. Suyash Prabhudesai on 11 and Abhinav Tejrana on 8 were at the crease, with Goa in a spot of bother at 28-1 in 13 overs.
Tea was taken early at 2.44 pm due to rain. No further play was possible due to wet conditions.
