Karnataka reach Ranji final as semifinal meanders to a draw
Karnataka reach Ranji final as semifinal meanders to a draw
Karnataka's Championship hopes stay alive as the Ranji semifinal ends in a draw in Lucknow, setting up a Hubballi final against Jammu & Kashmir.
The Ranji Trophy semifinal at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow meandered to a draw as play was called off after 14 overs in the final session of the fifth day. Karnataka, having secured the first-innings lead, showed little appetite for an outright win, knowing a place in the final mattered more than forcing victory. Uttarakhand was 184 for six in pursuit of 827, leaving the eight-time champions to watch from the comfort of the dugout.
In Uttarakhand's second innings, Avneesh Sudha top-scored with 66 off 71, while Saurabh Rawat remained unbeaten on 53 off 114 and Abhay Negi added 57 off 66. The three combined to an unbroken 104-run alliance for the seventh wicket, a roll of momentum that decorated Uttarakhand's maiden trip to the Ranji last four.
Karnataka's bowling ace, leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal, claimed three for 83 and crossed the 300-wicket mark in first-class cricket, a feat that places him among a small group of players to reach both major milestones. His milestone also reflects the balance Karnataka showed across the campaign as they prepared for a title clash. Coach Yere Goud remained hopeful about skipper Devdutt Padikkal's recovery from a finger injury; Padikkal did not bat or field on the day due to stitches.
The summit clash is scheduled in Hubballi, with Karnataka booked to face Jammu & Kashmir in the title showdown beginning February 24.
