Photo via The Hindu

Ranji Trophy | Steely Karun stands between Andhra and an outright win

Karnataka’s fightback in the Ranji Trophy opener hinged on a resilient 81 from veteran Karun Nair, who anchored the chase after the team’s top order crumbled early. Facing a 144-run deficit, Karnataka’s second innings collapsed to 18 for 2 before debutant Manvanth Kumar and Nair steadied the ship with a 94-run partnership, including two crucial reprieves—Manvanth surviving a boundary off Hemanth Reddy and Nair narrowly avoiding a stumping.

Karnataka finished at 176 for 4, leaving Andhra’s bowlers with a narrow window to seal victory, while Karnataka’s left-arm spinner Shikhar Shetty claimed match figures of 6 for 115 in Andhra’s 418-run total, where S.V. Rahul’s 119 and V.

Sasikanth’s 39 were key contributions.

Andhra’s bowlers, led by Saurabh Kumar and Lalith Mohan, dismantled Karnataka’s top order, with both K.L. Rahul and Mayank Agarwal scoring single-digit totals.

Karnataka’s turnaround came after a tactical reshuffle, with Manvanth Kumar’s aggressive 44 and Nair’s composed innings turning the tide. The match now rests on Karnataka’s ability to defend their 176-run target, with Andhra’s bowlers poised to capitalize on early momentum if Karnataka’s middle order falters further.

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