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.
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).
