Ranji Trophy: Karnataka on top against Gujarat

Bangalore, Nov 15 (IANS) Despite a fighting 83 (98b, 15×4) by former India stumper Parthiv Patel, Gujarat were struggling at 216 for five in reply to Karnataka’s first innings tally of 306 at stumps on the second day of their Group A Ranji Trophy league match here Friday.

Overnight 226 for seven, Karnataka managed to stretch their innings thanks to an unbeaten 75 (137b, 9×4, 1×6) by Ganesh Satish while left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhruv came away with 4 for 83.

Gujarat’s response started on the wrong foot as they lost two wickets for 29, but Parthiv Patel and Samit Gohil (38) retrieved the situation with a 104-run partnership for the third wicket.

Thereafter Gujarat, who currently occupy second spot behind Mumbai with 10 points in Group A, lost wickets at regular intervals to be 185 for five before Bhargav Merai (41 not out) and Akshar Patel (6 not out) denied further success to Karnataka for whom seamer Abhimanyu Mithun picked up two for 52.

Brief scores:

Karnataka (1st innings): 306 all out in 104.1 overs (Mayank Agarwal 42, Lokesh Rahul 34, Kunal Kapoor 57, Ganesh Satish 75 not out, R Vinay Kumar 22, Mehul Patel 2 for 43, Jasprit Bumrah 2 for 72, Rakesh Dhruv 4 for 83) vs Gujarat (1st innings): 216 for 5 in 72 overs (Samit Gohil 38, Parthiv Patel 83, Bhargav Merai 41 not out, Abhimanyu Mithun 2 for 52).