Gill struggles as Punjab collapse for 55, Karnataka take command in Ranji Trophy

Smaran made an unbeaten 83 (100b, 12x4s, 1x6) as Karnataka reached 199 for 4 when stumps were drawn on Day 1

Bengaluru: Ravichandran Smaran’s patient fifty and pacers’ outstanding effort overshadowed Shubman Gill’s modest outing, an 8-ball 4, as Karnataka seized total control of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match against Punjab here on Thursday.

Skipper Gill’s poor effort had a cascading effect on Punjab’s innings as they crumbled for a paltry 55 in their first essay. Smaran, who used all his technical nous, then made an unbeaten 83 (100b, 12x4s, 1×6) as Karnataka reached 199 for 4 when stumps were drawn on Day 1.

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The home side now lead by 144 runs, and that cushion was the result of the remarkable spells by the pace troika of Vasuki Koushik (11-4-16-4), Abhilash Shetty (9-4-19-3) and Prasidh Krishna (8-3-11-2).

There was not a moment of respite for the Punjab batters on a lively pitch that offered appreciable pace and carry. But Karnataka batters, particularly Smaran, negotiated the conditions far better than their opponents to drive their side to command.

Brief scores: Punjab: 55 in 29 overs (V Koushik 4/16, Abhilash Shetty 3/19, Prasidh Krishna 2/11) vs Karnataka 199/4 in 50 overs (R Smaran 83 no; Mayank Markande 1/6).