Karnataka delivered a commanding performance on Day Two of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match, burying Kerala under a mountain of runs before their pace attack dismantled the opposition’s makeshift top-order. The game, played at the KCA Stadium in Mangalapuram, saw Karnataka firmly in the driver’s seat by Sunday’s close of play.
Spearheading the bowling efforts, Vidwath Kaverappa, with figures of two for seven, and V. Vyshak, who took one for 14, reduced Kerala to a precarious 21 for three wickets at stumps. This impressive bowling display followed Karnataka’s declaration of their first innings at a massive 586 for five wickets.
The declaration was made possible by extraordinary batting performances. Karun Nair was a standout, hitting 233 runs from 389 deliveries, adorned with 25 fours and 2 sixes. Equally brilliant was R. Smaran, who remained unbeaten with a superb 220 runs from 390 balls, including 16 fours and 3 sixes. Together, Nair and Smaran forged an incredible 343-run partnership for the fourth wicket, relentlessly punishing the Kerala bowlers.
In a surprising move, N.P. Basil, who had already bowled 32 lion-hearted overs, was sent in as an opener for Kerala to navigate the tricky final hour of play. While Basil showed defiance and survived, regular opener Krishna Prasad was less fortunate, falling for just four runs to an expansive drive, caught by Aneesh in the slips off V. Vyshak. Kaverappa then struck twice, first casting M.D. Nidheesh for a duck and then bouncing out Vaishak Chandran, also for zero. However, Akshay Chandran joined Basil, and the pair successfully played out the final two overs, denying the visitors any further breakthroughs.
Earlier, the overnight batting pair of Karun Nair and R. Smaran continued their dominant display, albeit with a bit of luck. Smaran was granted a reprieve when he was dropped in the slips by Akshay off Nidheesh on 98 runs, a costly error that Kerala would come to regret. Karun Nair, too, faced some testing deliveries from the nippy Nidheesh but navigated the challenging period. Once the spinners were introduced, Nair unleashed a flurry of paddle sweeps, reverse sweeps, and powerful drives, comfortably cruising to his double century. His impressive innings concluded as he looked to accelerate the scoring rate further.
Smaran, adopting a more measured approach, patiently waited for scoring opportunities and dispatched loose balls with authority. He brought up his double hundred in magnificent style, dispatching a six over midwicket off Vaisakh.
This image shows Smaran celebrating during his impactful double century.
Match Summary:
Karnataka — 1st Innings: K.V. Aneesh c Azharuddeen b Basil 8, Mayank Agarawal c Azharuddeen b Nidheesh 5, K.L. Shrijith c Imran b Aparajith 65, Karun Nair c Shoun b Basil 233, R. Smaran (not out) 220, Abhinav Manohar lbw Vaisakh 20, Shreyas Gopal (not out) 16. Extras (b-8, lb-7, nb-3, w-1): 19; Total (for five wkts. decl. in 167 overs): 586.
Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-13, 3-136, 4-479, 5-534.
Kerala Bowling: Nidheesh 25-7-65-1, Vaisakh 21-1-103-1, Basil 32-3-101-2, Harikrishnan 25-1-114-0, Aparajith 44-5-121-1, Akshay 20-0-67-0.
Kerala — 1st Innings: Krishna Prasad c Aneesh b Vyshak 4, Basil (batting) 11, M.D. Nidheesh b Kaverappa 0, Visakh Chandan c (sub) Nikin bt Kaverappa 0, Akshay Chandran (batting) 6; Total (for three wkts. in 10 overs): 21.
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-10, 3-14.
Karnataka Bowling: Kaverappa 5-2-7-2, Vyshak 5-2-14-1.