Karun Nair’s unbeaten 155 helps Karnataka salvage draw against Andhra

Vijayawada: Host Andhra secured three points after taking a first-innings lead of 144 runs against visiting Karnataka in their 2026–27 Ranji Trophy opener at the Dr Gokaraju Laila Gangaraju Andhra Cricket Association Mulapadu Cricket Stadium (ACA) in Mulapadu near Vijayawada on Wednesday. The four-day match ended in a draw, with the visitors earning one point after a spirited fightback led by Indian international batter Karun Nair.

Resuming their second innings at 176 for five on the fourth and final day, Karnataka were rescued by Nair, who remained unbeaten on 155 off 242 balls, including 16 fours and two sixes. His determined knock helped the visitors declare at 337 for nine in 103 overs, setting Andhra a target of 194 runs. Karnataka captain Ravichandran Smaran, who resumed alongside Nair, was dismissed for 21 by Tripurana Vijay, giving a catch to Abhishek Reddy at 225 for six in 61.5 overs. Krishnan Shrijith (19), Madhav Bajaj (27), Abhishek Shetty (4) and Rithesh Bhatkal (23) were subsequently dismissed as Andhra left-arm spinner Lalith Mohan led the bowling attack with five wickets for 117 runs. Saurabh Kumar claimed three wickets for 85 runs.

Karnataka, who had scored 274 in their first innings against Andhra’s 418, faced the prospect of an innings defeat after conceding a substantial lead. However, Nair’s resistance enabled them to put up a competitive total and set up an interesting final session. Chasing 194 for victory, Andhra lost four wickets but held on to secure the draw. Opener Abhishek Reddy scored 29, while M Hemanth Reddy (0), Shaik Rasheed (7) and Ricky Bhui (12) fell cheaply.

Seeram Venkata Rahul, unbeaten on 35 off 85 balls with five fours, and Revanth Reddy, unbeaten on 20, steadied the innings to take Andhra to 104 for four in 44 overs when the match ended. Shikhar Shetty took two wickets for Karnataka. Earlier, Andhra had built their first-innings total of 418 on the back of Seeram Venkat Rahul’s 119 and Revanth Reddy’s 97. Shaik Rasheed contributed 54, while KV Sasikanth scored 39. Shikhar Shetty was Karnataka’s most successful bowler, taking six wickets for 115 runs. The result gave Andhra a positive start to their Ranji Trophy campaign, with the first-innings lead proving decisive despite Karnataka’s late fightback.

Scoreboard

Karnataka (1st innings): 274 all out in 82.2 overs. Ravichandran Smaran 126 (218b, 11x4, 1x6), Krishnan Shrijith 58 (82b, 3x4, 3x6), Madhav Bajaj 33 (53b, 3x4, 1x6).

Andhra (1st innings): 418 all out in 121.5 overs (Seeram Venkata Rahul 119, Revanth Reddy 97, Shaik Rasheed 54; Shikhar Shetty 6/115).

Karnataka (2nd innings): 337/9 declared in 103 overs (Karun Nair 155 not out, 242 balls, 16 fours, 2 sixes; Manvanth Kumar 44, Madhav Bajaj 27; Lalith Mohan 5/117, Saurabh Kumar 3/85, Tripurana Vijay 1/75).

Andhra (2nd innings): 104/4 in 44 overs (Abhishek Reddy 29, Seeram Venkata Rahul 35 not out, Revanth Reddy 20 not out; Shikhar Shetty 2/32, Madhav Bajaj 1/32, Rithesh Bhatkal 1/28).

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The Hans India