Rahul and Revanth propel Andhra to 57-run lead over Karnataka

S.V. Rahul and Revanth Reddy, 19 and 22, put Andhra into a 57-run lead over Karnataka on day two of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy opener at the ACA Stadium in Mulapadu on Monday, October 12, 2026. Their stand came after Karnataka had posted 274 in their first innings.

Rahul remained unbeaten on 108 (187b, 10x4) in his first innings for Andhra across formats, while wicketkeeper-batter Revanth Reddy compiled 97 (143b, 13x4). The two, who have played together since junior cricket, combined for a 202-run partnership that occupied nearly two full sessions.

Andhra had earlier slipped to 116 for five, with Shaik Rasheed departing for a well-made 54 (121b, 4x4). The position at that stage had left the hosts under pressure before the big sixth-wicket stand.

Karnataka's attack contained a number of inexperienced bowlers: three were making their debuts and two others had a combined 13 caps. The trio of spinners — Shikhar Shetty, Madhav Bajaj and Ritesh Bhatkal — did not maintain consistent lengths, and only seven of the 90 overs bowled on the day were maidens.

Andhra also benefited from a reprieve when S.V. Rahul was dropped at slip by K.L. Rahul on 40 off Ritesh Bhatkal. S.V. Rahul reached his fifty in 102 balls with a lofted boundary over long-off; Revanth got his in 59 balls with a slapped four to mid-wicket.

From the 50s the pair moved through the 70s, 80s and 90s in quick succession; S.V. Rahul moved to 99 by driving Ritesh down the ground and then completed his century with a single. Revanth was eventually caught by K.L. Rahul at slip off left-arm spinner Shikhar Shetty for a new career-best first-class score — his previous best was 22.

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 (batting) 108, Revanth Reddy c Rahul b Shikhar 97, V. Sasikanth (batting) 6; Extras: (b-5, lb-5, w-1, nb-2): 13; Total (for six wkts. in 95 overs): 331. Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-10, 3-53, 4-92, 5-116, 6-318. Karnataka bowling: Abhilash 12-0-49-0, Shikhar 22-2-72-3, Madhav 30-3-88-2, Manvanth 4-0-33-0, Ritesh 25-2-71-1, Karun 2-0-8-0.