Aneesh and Aneeshwar put Karnataka in command in Ranji Trophy Elite Group B
K.V. Aneesh and Aneeshwar Gautam anchored Karnataka on day two of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday, leaving their side firmly in control.
After Karnataka’s spinners had troubled Assam’s batters on day one, Aneesh recorded his maiden First Class century while Aneeshwar provided substantial support as Karnataka built a large first-innings total.
The opening phase of play was subdued as Mayank Agarwal and Aneesh negotiated Mohit Thakur’s spin from one end and Mukhtar Hussain’s pace from the other, but Assam then struck twice when Mayank was dismissed and Karun Nair was trapped lbw for 21 by Roshan Alam.
Aneesh and Aneeshwar put on a measured partnership: Aneesh used the pull to fetch two maximums before reaching his fifty with a cover drive in the 56th over, Aneeshwar struck twin sixes off Roshan in the 59th, conditions eased for spin after lunch, Aneeshwar reached his fifty with a backfoot punch through covers and Aneesh celebrated his century in the 92nd over; Aneeshwar fell in the first over after tea and Manvanth Kumar provided a brisk unbeaten contribution.
Assam’s decision to take the second new ball in the 101st over had little effect on Karnataka’s rhythm as the visitors continued to press on through the afternoon and evening sessions.
The scores: Assam — 1st innings: 135. Karnataka — 1st innings: Rohan Patil c Sibsankar b Amlanjyoti 89, Mayank Agarwal c Denish b Mohit 72, K.L. Shrijith lbw b Amlanjyoti 19, K.V. Aneesh (batting) 142, Karun Nair lbw b Roshan, Aneeshwar Gautam lbw b Roshan 83, Manvanth Kumar (batting) 53; Extras (b-6, lb-7, nb-3, w-1): 17; Total (for five wkts. in 117 overs): 496. Fall of wickets: 1-129, 2-157, 3-207, 4-253, 5-401. Assam bowling: Mukhtar 13-1-52-0, Mohit 25-3-92-1, Amlanjyoti 34-4-121-2, Hridip 10-0-58-0, Sarupam 3-0-19-0, Roshan 27-3-126-2, Denish 5-0-15-0.
Karnataka finished day two 361 runs ahead of Assam’s first-innings total, with their innings at 496 for five at stumps.