Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Karun-Shreyas partnership anchors Karnataka’s innings against Goa on Day 1
Honours were even at stumps on day one of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match between Karnataka and Goa at the KSCA Navule Stadium here on Saturday.
After Goa opted to bowl and reduced the host to 128 for five, a 94-run association (148b) between Karun Nair (86 batting, 138b, 7×4, 1×6) and Shreyas Gopal (48 batting, 84b, 5×4, 1×6) ensured 222 runs on the board and a shot at a decent-sized total for Karnataka’s four-man pace attack to defend.
Until then, Karnataka was kept under a tight leash. V. Koushik, formerly of Karnataka, was at his miserly best (18-7-24-2), took the prized scalp of skipper Mayank Agarwal (28, 69b, 4×4) and plucked a fine catch at square-leg to excise the dangerous Abhinav Manohar (37, 64b, 6×4).
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If not for the rain-induced delayed start of 90 minutes, Koushik, primarily a swing bowler, might have had more assistance. Despite the sun beating down, the 33-year-old bowled an unrelenting fourth-stump line as Karnataka went into lunch at 15 for no loss from 12 overs.
The speedster and Mayank then indulged in a cat-and-mouse game, with the captain repeatedly stepping out to negate the movement and Koushik, every now and then, asking the wicket-keeper to stand up to the stumps to keep the batter in check. But Koushik had the final laugh, having Mayank caught at slip.
Karun, though, played the role of a senior statesman to perfection. The 33-year-old started with a streaky-edged double but was solid thereafter. The two expertly steered fours to the third-man fence off Vijesh Prabhudesai, and the towering six over left-arm spinner Darshan Misal’s head showcased both his class and power.
Goa was hampered by off-spinner Mohit Redkar’s limited role as he hobbled off in the 11th over after hurting his leg on a still-damp and heavy outfield. It denied Goa control after Koushik and fellow fast-bowler Arjun Tendulkar (17-5-47-3) had done the heavy lifting. Karun and Shreyas duly capitalised.
Published on Oct 25, 2025
