Karun Nair’s unbeaten 81 keeps Karnataka in touch as Andhra press for outright win in Ranji opener

Karun Nair carried Karnataka with an unbeaten 81 on day three of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy opener against Andhra at the ACA Stadium in Mulapadu on Tuesday, helping the visitors erase a 144-run first-innings deficit and close at 176 for four. Andhra retain the upper hand and the first session on day four will be decisive in their push for an outright victory.

Karnataka began their second innings in trouble after Andhra posted 418 in their first dig, and both K.L. Rahul and Mayank Agarwal fell cheaply to left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar early on. The visitors recovered partly through an unexpected promotion of debutant left-hander Manvanth Kumar, whose 44 (110b, 1x4, 2x6) combined with Karun for a 94-run stand that steadied the innings.

Manvanth was reprieved on seven when Hemanth Reddy failed to hold a chance at long-off, and Karun escaped in the 70s when wicket-keeper Revanth Reddy could not effect a stumping as the ball lodged in his pads; T. Vijay was the off-spinner in both incidents. Karun’s unbeaten 81 came off 130 balls with eight fours and two sixes, while Manvanth faced 110 deliveries and struck a straight six off Vijay during their partnership.

Manvanth was eventually bowled by Lalith Mohan six short of a half-century, and skipper R. Smaran (21 batting, 43b, 1x4) ensured there were no further slips as Karnataka reached 176 for four in 60 overs. Earlier in the innings K.V. Aneesh had added only six and K.V. Aneesh’s dismissal left Karnataka needing runs to nullify Andhra’s lead.

Andhra, from an overnight 331 for six, were bowled out for 418 in the morning; S.V. Rahul added 11 to finish on 119, V. Sasikanth made 39 off 104 balls with four fours and one six, and Saurabh Kumar and Lalith Mohan contributed a combined 40 runs. Left-arm spinner Shikhar Shetty finished with career-best figures of six for 115 while other bowlers also chipped in with wickets.

Score summary: Karnataka — 1st innings: 274 in 82.2 overs. Andhra — 1st innings: Hemanth Reddy c Smaran b Shikhar 1, Abhishek Reddy lbw b Shikhar 30, T. Vijay c Rahul b Madhav 4, Shaik Rasheed lbw Madhav 54, Ricky Bhui c Rahul b Bhatkal 18, S.V. Rahul lbw b Ritesh 119, Revanth Reddy c Rahul b Shikhar 97, V. Sasikanth lbw b Shikhar 39, Saurabh Kumar c Shrijith b Shikhar 24, Lalith Mohan (not out) 16, K. Saiteja lbw b Shikhar 1; Extras (b-5, lb-5, w-1, nb-4): 15; Total (in 121.5 overs): 418. Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-10, 3-53, 4-92, 5-116, 6-318, 7-364, 8-395, 9-416. Karnataka bowling: Abhilash 12-0-49-0, Shikhar 35.5-2-115-6, Madhav 33-4-94-2, Manvanth 4-0-33-0, Ritesh 35-3-109-2, Karun 2-0-8-0. Karnataka — 2nd innings: Mayank Agarwal lbw b Saurabh 18, K.L. Rahul lbw b Saurabh 1, Manvanth Kumar b Lalith 44, K.V. Aneesh c Bhui b Saurabh 6, Karun Nair (batting) 81, R. Smaran (batting) 21; Extras (lb-5): 5; Total (for four wkts. in 60 overs): 176. Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-25, 3-43, 4-137. Andhra bowling: Saiteja 8-1-26-0, Sasikanth 2-1-4-0, Lalith 17-1-55-1, Saurabh 18-1-41-3, T. Vijay 14-1-43-0, Rasheed 1-0-2-0.

Karun’s resistance leaves Karnataka in contention but trailing on the overall first-innings comparison; the opening session on day four will determine whether Andhra can convert their advantage into an outright win while Karnataka look to salvage a draw.