Ranji Trophy | Harvik-Chirag century stand drives Saurashtras sturdy reply

On a sweltering day, Saurashtra openers Harvik Desai (41, 104b, 2×4, 1×6) and Chirag Jani (90, 148b, 11×4, 1×6) additional turned on the warmth with a 140-run partnership that lit up the afternoon on day two of their Ranji Trophy Group-B conflict in opposition to Karnataka on the Niranjan Shah Stadium right here on Thursday.

The duo, displaying a mix of grit and stylish stroke play, wrested management of the sport with a show that screamed intent.

After the customer was bowled out for 372 in its first innings, Harvik and Chirag started the house aspect’s response in constructive trend, taking full benefit of the benign floor and humid circumstances, which supplied little help to the bowlers. The pair effortlessly discovered the fence and settled into an excellent rhythm.

Chirag, the extra aggressive of the 2, showcased a formidable vary of strokes — fluent drives off each back and front foot, and sharp sq. cuts — to maintain the scoreboard ticking and sustaining the stress on the bowlers.

Quick strikes

However, Karnataka clawed its means again with 4 fast wickets, courtesy its spinners. Offie Mohsin Khan supplied the much-needed breakthrough, trapping Harvik plumb in entrance. Shreyas Gopal then took cost, dismissing the well-set Chirag, and later sending again Jay Gohel (who had are available as an alternative to Tarang Gohel, dominated out after injuring his fingers) and Ansh Gosai, caught at ahead short-leg.

Earlier, Karnataka’s in a single day batters R. Smaran and Shreyas, in pursuit of fast runs, fell in fast succession — the previous changing into left-arm spinner Dharmendra Jadeja’s fifth scalp and the latter to Jaydev Unadkat, the skipper’s solely success.

However, a resilient 47-run stand for the ultimate wicket between Shikhar Shetty and Abhilash Shetty lifted Karnataka to a aggressive whole, regardless of Jadeja’s seven-wicket haul.

With the match finely poised, an thrilling third day awaits.

The scores:

Karnataka — 1st innings: S.J. Nikin Jose c Ansh b Jadeja 12, Mayank Agarwal c Chetan b Jadeja 2, Devdutt Padikkal b Jadeja 96, Karun Nair lbw b Jadeja 73, R. Smaran c Ansh b Jadeja 77, Okay.L. Shrijith c Harvik b Yuvrajsinh 5, Shreyas Gopal c Ansh b Unadkat 56, M. Venkatesh c Ansh b Jadeja 0, Shikhar Shetty c Unadkat b Samar 41, Mohsin Khan c Ansh b Jadeja 1, Abhilash Shetty (not out) 2; Extras (nb-1, b-5, lb-1): 7; Total (in 117.3 overs): 372.

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-26, 3-172, 4-195, 5-214, 6-324, 7-324, 8-324, 9-325.

Saurashtra bowling: Unadkat 20-3-55-1, Chetan 15-3-29-0, Jadeja 42-9-124-7, Chirag 3-1-5-0, Prerak 3-1-14-0, Yuvrajsinh 23-3-90-1, Samar 11.3-0-49-1.

Saurashtra — 1st innings: Harvik Desai lbw b Mohsin 41, Chirag Jani b Shreyas 90, Jay Gohel c & b Shreyas 3, Arpit Vasavada (batting) 12, Ansh Gosai c Smaran b Shreyas 19, Prerak Mankad (batting) 20; Extras (b-2, lb-8, pen-5): 15; Total (for 4 wkts. in 60 overs): 200.

Fall of wickets: 1-140, 2-148, 3-151, 4-171.

Karnataka bowling: Abhilash 7-3-14-0, Venkatesh 7-2-24-0, Shikhar 15-2-58-0, Shreyas 17-2-51-3, Mohsin 14-0-38-1.