Ranji Semi-Finals: The match was exciting in Ekana, Karnataka 355 runs for two wickets with centuries from Rahul and Padikkal.
Lucknow. With big centuries from senior opener Lokesh Rahul (141) and captain Devdutt Padikkal (148 not out), Karnataka moved towards a big score by scoring 355 runs for two wickets on the first day of the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Uttarakhand here on Sunday. Uttarakhand captain Kunal Chandela won the toss and decided to bowl first, after which Karnataka’s two experienced batsmen troubled the opposition bowlers a lot.
India’s Test and ODI specialist Rahul, who scored a brilliant century in Karnataka’s win over Mumbai in the quarter-finals, played another brilliant innings. He scored his 25th first-class century with the help of 11 fours and five sixes in his innings of 211 balls. At the end of the first day’s play at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Padikkal was playing after scoring 148 runs on 236 balls. He hit 16 fours and two sixes in his innings.
At the other end, Karun Nair is supporting Padikkal by scoring 37 runs for eight-time Ranji champion Karnataka. Rahul and Padikkal gave a strong platform to Karnataka by adding 278 runs for the second wicket. Earlier, Karnataka lost the wicket of opener Mayank Agarwal (05) early, who was caught by Prashant Chopra off the ball of Aditya Rawat.
However, after this Rahul and Padikkal remained dominant and dominated the Uttarakhand bowlers for most of the day’s play. In the presence of his father-in-law and Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty, Rahul played another brilliant innings. He completed his century with a single off the ball of Avnish Sudha. Till lunch, Karnataka’s score was 133 runs for one wicket, which the team reduced to 263 runs for one wicket till tea. Padikkal completed his century by hitting a six over long on off former Karnataka left-arm spinner J Suchith. Rawat broke this partnership by taking Rahul’s catch on his own ball on his very first ball of the last session.
Sunil Shetty enjoyed the match with son Ahan
Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty was the attraction of the first day of the Ranji Trophy match being played at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. He reached the stadium with his son Ahan Shetty and enjoyed the match with full enthusiasm. Actually, Sunil Shetty had come to the capital in connection with a private program in the city. His son-in-law KL Rahul is part of the Karnataka team in this Ranji match. For this reason, Sunil Shetty especially reached Ekana Stadium to watch Rahul’s batting. During the match, there was special excitement among the spectators when KL Rahul batted brilliantly and completed his century.
Sunil Shetty and Ahan Shetty present in the stadium also encouraged him by clapping on this success. Managing Director of Ekana Sports City, Uday Sinha was also present on this occasion. Sunil Shetty’s presence on the first day of the match created a different attraction among the spectators. After Rahul completed his century, Sunil Shetty left the stadium with his son. This confluence of Bollywood and cricket along with Ranji match became a special experience for the audience.
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