Kerala struggle as Karnataka pacers dominate Day 3

Karnataka moved to the brink of an emphatic innings victory after their pacers dismantled Kerala’s batting lineup on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Group B clash at the St Xavier’s College Ground on Monday.

The fast-bowling duo of Vidwath Kaverappa (4/42) and Vijaykumar Vyshak (3/62) shared seven wickets between them as Kerala were bundled out for 238, still 348 runs short of Karnataka’s imposing first-innings total of 586 for five declared. The hosts were then asked to follow on and reached 10 for no loss at stumps, still trailing by 338 runs.

Resuming the day at 21 for three, Kerala’s hopes rested on their middle order, but wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. The only notable resistance came from Baba Aparajith, who stood tall amid the collapse with a valiant 88 off 159 balls, studded with eight boundaries and four sixes.

Aparajith found some support from captain Sachin Baby (31 off 82), and together they added 86 runs for the fifth wicket, helping Kerala cross the 200-run mark. However, once Kaverappa broke the stand, the tail folded quickly, leaving Karnataka firmly in control.

Karnataka’s dominance was set up by their monumental first-innings batting display, powered by double centuries from Karun Nair (233) and Ravichandran Smaran (220). Their 360-run partnership ensured the visitors had complete command over the match from the outset.

With one day left, Karnataka now need 10 wickets to wrap up an innings victory, while Kerala face the uphill task of surviving an entire day to avoid defeat on home soil.

Other group B matches

In New Chandigarh, Goa seized the advantage over Punjab, reaching 439 for three in reply to Punjab’s 325. Openers Suyash Prabhudessai (149 off 222) and Abhinav Tejrana (131 off 140) struck fluent centuries, while Manthan Khutkar contributed a solid 86.

At Indore, Madhya Pradesh posted 384 for eight declared, and in response, Chandigarh were 236 for four at stumps. Ankit Kaushik was unbeaten on 59, with Shivam Bhambri (52) and skipper Manan Vohra (52) also scoring fifties. For MP, Aryan Pandey (2/41) and Kumar Kartikeya (2/90) shared the spoils.

Meanwhile, in Nashik, Saurashtra cruised to 165 for one in 50 overs, with Harvik Desai (70 not out) and Jay Kohli (74 not out) leading the charge after Mukesh Choudhary (1/46) claimed the lone wicket for Maharashtra.

Brief Scores: At Thiruvananthapuram: Karnataka 586/5 decl vs Kerala 238 all out & 10/0.

At Nashik: Saurashtra 165/1 (Desai 70, Kohli 74).

At New Chandigarh: Punjab 325 vs Goa 439/3 (Prabhudessai 149, Tejrana 131).

At Indore: MP 384/8 decl vs Chandigarh 236/4 (Kaushik 59*).