Ranji Trophy | Karnataka and Goa share honours on a rain-hit opening day

Honours have been even at stumps on day one of many Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match between Karnataka and Goa on the KSCA Navule Stadium right here on Saturday.

After Goa opted to bowl and lowered the hosts to 128 for 5, a 94-run affiliation (148b) between Karun Nair (86 batting, 138b, 7×4, 1×6) and Shreyas Gopal (48 batting, 84b, 5×4, 1×6) ensured 222 runs on the board and a shot at a decent-sized whole for Karnataka’s four-man tempo assault to defend.

Until then, Karnataka was saved beneath a decent leash. V. Koushik, previously of Karnataka, was at his miserly greatest (18-7-24-2), took the prized scalp of skipper Mayank Agarwal (28, 69b, 4×4) and plucked a tremendous catch at square-leg to excise the damaging Abhinav Manohar (37, 64b, 6×4).

If not for the rain-induced delayed begin of 90 minutes, Koushik, primarily a swing bowler, might need had extra help. Despite the solar beating down, the 33-year-old bowled an unrelenting fourth-stump line as Karnataka went into lunch at 15 for no loss from 12 overs.

The speedster and Mayank then indulged in a cat-and-mouse sport, with the captain repeatedly stepping out to negate the motion and Koushik, from time to time, asking the wicket-keeper to face as much as the stumps to maintain the batter in test. Koushik had the ultimate snigger, having Mayank caught at slip.

Karun, although, performed the position of a senior statesman to perfection. The 33-year-old began with a streaky edged double however was stable thereafter. The two expertly steered fours to the third-man fence off Vijesh Prabhudesai and the towering six over left-arm spinner Darshan Misal’s head showcased each his class and energy.

Goa was hampered by off-spinner Mohit Redkar’s restricted position as he hobbled off within the eleventh over after hurting his leg on a still-damp and heavy outfield. It denied Goa management after Koushik and fellow fast-bowler Arjun Tendulkar (17-5-47-3) had accomplished the heavy lifting. Karun and Shreyas duly capitalised.

The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: Nikin Jose c Khutkar b Arjun 3, Mayank Agarwal c Kauthankar b Koushik 28, Ok.L. Shrijith c Dubhashi b Arjun 0, Karun Nair (batting) 86, R. Smaran c Tejrana b Koushik 3, Abhinav Manohar c Koushik b Arjun 37, Shreyas Gopal (batting) 48; Extras (b-5, lb-9, nb-3): 17; Total (for 5 wkts. in 69 overs): 222.

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-26, 3-47, 4-65, 5-128.

Goa bowling: Arjun 17-5-47-3, Koushik 18-7-24-2, Vijesh 14-3-57-0, Misal 11-0-56-0, Redkar 5-0-16-0, Suyash 4-0-8-0.

Toss: Goa.