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A blend of youthful ambition and experienced composure was on full display as Devdutt Padikkal (96, 141b, 11×4) and Karun Nair (73, 126b, 9×4) combined to orchestrate a crucial 146-run third-wicket stand steering Karnataka into a solid position against Saurashtra on day one of the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season opener at the Niranjan Shah Stadium here on Wednesday.
After electing to bat on a bright, sunny morning, Karnataka skipper Mayank Agarwal and S. Nikin Jose quickly came under pressure from the disciplined lines and perfect lengths bowled by Saurashtra’s pacers, captain Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya.
Sensing the batters’ eagerness to break free, Jaydev’s strategic decision to introduce spin early paid off. Left-arm spinner Dharmendra Jadeja struck twice, removing both openers — Mayank in the 10th over and Nikin in the 14th — leaving Karnataka in a precarious position at 26 for two.
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Padikkal and Karun then took charge, adopting a patient approach to stabilise the innings. The duo rotated the strike effectively to keep the scoreboard ticking. Once settled, the pair began to score freely, consistently piercing the gaps and turning the pressure back onto the home side.
Padikkal punished anything short with delicate cuts and powerful pulls, while Karun skilfully manoeuvred the strike as both batters soon celebrated their half-centuries.
Against the run of play, Dharmendra broke the partnership, trapping Karun plumb in front, before claiming his fourth wicket by castling Padikkal, who fell agonisingly short of his century.
K.L. Shrijith’s stay at the crease was short-lived before R. Smaran (66 batting, 120b, 4×4, 2×6) and Shreyas Gopal (38 batting, 69b, 2×4, 2×6) added 81 runs for the sixth wicket, guiding the visitors to 295 for five at the close of day one.
Scores:
Karnataka — 1st innings: SJ Nikin Jose c Ansh b Dharmendra Jadeja 12, Mayank Agarwal c Chetan b Dharmendra Jadeja 2, Devdutt Padikkal b Dharmendra Jadeja 96, Karun Nair lbw b Dharmendra Jadeja 73, R. Smaran 66 batting, KL Shrijith c Harvik b Yuvrajsinh 5, Shreyas Gopal 38 batting; Extras: (nb-1, b-1, lb-1): 3; Total for five wickets (in 90 overs): 295.
Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-26, 3-172, 4-195, 5-214.
Saurashtra bowling: Jaydev 14-2-36-0, Chetan 12-3-21-0, Dharmendra 30-3-100-4, Chirag 3-1-5-0, Prerak 3-1-14-0, Yuvrajsinh 19-2-79-1, Samar 9-0-38-0.
Toss: Karnataka.
Published on Oct 15, 2025
