Going, going, gone! Padikkal took the assault to the TN bowlers with six towering sixes.
| Photo Credit: VEDHAN M
Devdutt Padikkal’s purple patch continued as he notched up his third century of the season to information Karnataka to a strong position of 288 for 5 against Tamil Nadu on day one of many Elite Group-C Ranji Trophy match right here on the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.
Electing to bat, Karnataka misplaced skipper Mayank Agarwal early, taking part in on to the stumps off Sai Kishore earlier than Padikkal took centre-stage with an aggressive unbeaten 151 (216b, 12×4, 6×6).
The left-hander — who returned to the facet after scoring a century and half-century in the 2 matches for India A against England Lions — took the assault to the TN pacers from the second he walked in. He began his knock by lofting M. Mohammed over level and down the bottom for a 4 and a six and gave the identical therapy to Sandeep Warrier some time later.
At the opposite finish, opener R. Samarth (57) made a useful half-century and added 132 runs for the second wicket with Padikkal, setting a strong platform for the guests.
After lunch, Padikkal launched into Sai Kishore, depositing the TN skipper over long-on and mid-wicket after attending to his half-century. The 23-year-old seemed comfy tackling the left-arm spinners on a pitch with variable bounce. He had a reprieve on 77 when Mohammed dropped a simple catch at long-on off Ajith Ram.
Padikkal made TN pay the value as he took aside Sai Kishore, hitting him for a six and two fours off consecutive deliveries to race to his sixth First Class hundred in fashion.
In the ultimate session, TN fought again with three fast wickets via its spinners earlier than Hardik Raj and Padikkal steadied issues with an unbroken 54-run stand.
For the hosts, left-arm spinner Ajith Ram was the very best bowler on the day. He bowled with management and guile, however acquired just one over earlier than lunch and was given a prolonged spell solely late into the second session. By that point Padikkal was already properly set for an enormous one.
The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: R. Samarth b Ajith Ram 57, Mayank Agarwal b Sai Kishore 20, Devdutt Padikkal (batting) 151, Nikin Jose c Jagadeesan b Sai Kishore 13, Manish Pandey lbw b Ajith Ram 1, Kishan Bedare c Pradosh b Sai Kishore 3, Hardik Raj (batting) 35; Extras (lb-7, w-1): 8; Total (for 5 wkts. in 90 overs): 288.
Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-167, 3-226, 4-231, 5-234.
TN bowling: Warrier 18-1-63-0, Sai Kishore 26-3-94-3, Mohammed 11-2-31-0, Pradosh 7-1-17-0, Vijay Shankar 7-0-20-0, Ajith Ram 20-4-53-2, Boopathi 1-0-3-0.
