Mayank Agarwal’s mammoth 249 leads Karnataka’s strong restoration

Saurashtra 76 for two (Desai 27*, Jackson 27*, Kaverappa 2-24) path Karnataka 407 (Agarwal 249, Sharath 66, Sakariya 3-73) by 331 runs

Karnataka had resumed on day two at 229 for five, as Agarwal added 139 to his in a single day tally to run the guests ragged till half an hour previous to tea. By the time Agarwal – the final wicket to fall – was run out making an attempt to steal a non-existent second run, he had helped Karnataka stage a outstanding restoration; they ended with 407 after being 112 for five at one stage, with Agarwal’s vigil alone lasting 626 minutes and 429 balls.

Koushik ought to have additionally had Sheldon Jackson caught at slip on 23 within the penultimate over of the day, however the catch off the skin edge was dropped by R Samarth, as Saurashtra ended the day on 76 for two, one other 331 runs behind the hosts’ first-innings whole.

Big swing and seam motion from the primary day’s play gave technique to barely simpler batting situations on the second, however batters nonetheless needed to apply themselves; and Agarwal gave himself the perfect probability. As the day progressed, he feasted on some drained bowling that neither requested questions of the batters nor strung up any stress by the use of run containment.

If self-restraint was the order of Agarwal’s innings on Wednesday, his flamboyant strokeplay and tactful strike rotation with the decrease order was the hallmark of his effort on Thursday. On 141 when No. 10 Kaverappa joined him, Agarwal – who completed with 28 fours and 6 sixes – performed among the most aesthetically pleasing strokes in making an attempt to swell Karnataka’s rating.

Saurashtra’s choice to unfold the sphere out and goal Agarwal’s batting companions was a ploy that backfired spectacularly. It was additionally a shock transfer, given Saurashtra had struck twice within the first 45 minutes of the morning.

Then Agarwal farmed strike fantastically with the decrease order to haul Karnataka to a place of power. All mentioned, the floor was nonetheless excellent for batting. Saurashtra will hope for higher software from their center order to maintain them in rivalry for a spot within the ultimate.