Ranji Trophy: Saurashtra takes the bragging rights in drawn encounter against Karnataka

Aneesh’s second half-century was one of the bright spots for Karnataka in the stalemate against Saurashtra. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN Saurashtra’s status as Karnataka’s bete noire remained unchanged as it walked away with three points in the drawn Ranji Trophy encounter at the Alur Grounds near here on Wednesday.The last seven fixtures between the sides has now seen Saurashtra win four times and take the first-innings lead thrice.Karnataka’s fate was more or less sealed on Tuesday when it allowed the last two Saurashtra batters to add 46 runs and secure a narrow seven-run first-innings lead. On the final day, the visitors ensured that Karnataka had no route back.Courtesy K.V. Aneesh’s second half-century of the match (79, 159b, 5x4, 1x6) and K.L. Shrijith’s second of his First Class career (52, 76b, 5x4), Karnataka declared at 243 for seven (overnight 99 for two), setting Saurashtra a 237-run target from 49 overs.But once opener Harvik Desai chopped on a delivery from medium-pacer Manvanth Kumar as early as the sixth over, Saurashtra decided to shut down the contest, take the three points on offer and swell its season’s tally to six.Jaydev Unadkat’s side did bat until the 42nd over, allowing one-drop Chirag Jani to accumulate 63 unbeaten runs (117b, 7x4, 2x6) and the total to reach 137. But it appeared more like a practice session ahead of its next match against Assam at home.Karnataka coach R. Vinay Kumar remained upbeat despite having just two points after two games. The former India bowler counted Manvanth Kumar’s back-to-the-wall century (135, 214b, 11x4, 6x6) and Vidwath Kaverappa’s four-wicket haul (four for 57) — both in the first essay — as big positives.Fielding and decision-making by the batters were areas for improvement, he stated, ahead of the Tripura fixture starting on Monday in Mysuru.“The points table says something else but I think we are on track,” Vinay told reporters. “We didn’t start well. It was not that easy to bat first under cloudy conditions. But it was a good game.”The scores:Karnataka — 1st innings: 342 in 111.3 overs.Saurashtra — 1st innings: 349 in 108.3 overs.Karnataka — 2nd innings: K.V. Aneesh c Bhut b Gajjar 79, Rohan Patil c Sakariya b Panwar 38, Aneeshwar Gautam c Prerak b Bhut 3, Karun Nair c Harvik b Sakariya 33, K.L. Shrijith c Gohil b Gajjar 52, Manvanth Kumar c Sakariya b Bhut 31, Shreyas Gopal b Bhut 1, V. Vyshak (not out) 1; Extras (b-1, lb-4): 5; Total (for seven wkts. decl. in 64.1 overs): 243.Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-56, 3-117, 4-198, 5-225, 6-238, 7-243.Saurashtra bowling: Sakariya 9-0-49-1, Bhut 25.1-2-80-3, Panwar 4-0-23-1, Jani 3-0-12-0, Prerak 6-0-21-0, Gajjar 17-1-53-2.Saurashtra — 2nd innings: Hetvik Kotak c Aneeshwar b Shreyas 25, Harvik Desai b Manvanth 10, Chirag Jani (not out) 63, Jay Gohil (not out) 22; Extras (b-8, lb-1, w-8): 17; Total (for two wkts. in 42 overs): 137.Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-77.Karnataka bowling: Kaverappa 8-1-11-0, Manvanth 7-1-29-1, Vyshak 8-4-9-0, Abhilash 6-0-29-0, Shreyas 12-1-42-1, Aneeshwar 1-0-8-0. Published - October 21, 2026 07:57 pm IST