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Ranji Trophy 2026/27: Honours even as Saurashtra batters resist Karnataka pressure

The Ranji Trophy Elite clash between Karnataka and Saurashtra remained tightly contested on the second day at Aluru Cricket Stadium, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage. Karnataka, batting first, posted a competitive 342 after recovering from an overnight score of 281 for eight, thanks to Manvanth Kumar’s maiden First-Class century (135 off 214 balls).

Saurashtra’s reply began promisingly, with Hetvik Kotak (46) and Harvik Desai (77) anchoring a 110-run opening stand, but Karnataka’s bowlers tightened the screws, reducing them to 128 for four before tea. The hosts’ short-ball tactics proved effective, dismissing key Saurashtra batsmen—including Desai, Chirag Jani, and Hetvik—while Karnataka’s pacer Vidwath Kaverappa limped off with a calf injury after bowling his 13th over, raising concerns about his fitness.

Saurashtra’s Arpit Vasavada (25) and Prerak Mankad (13) steadied the ship, but the team still trails by 178 runs as the match enters its third day.

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