Ranji Trophy 2023-24: Padikkal’s century helps Karnataka take day one honours towards Tamil Nadu

Devdutt Padikkal continued his purple patch by notching up his third century of the season as he guided Karnataka to a powerful place of 288 for 5 towards Tamil Nadu on day one of many Elite Group C Ranji Trophy conflict 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 aspect after scoring a century and half-century within the two matches for India A towards England Lions – took the assault to the TN pacers from the second he walked in. He began his knock by lofting Mohammed over level and down the bottom for a 4 and a six and did the identical to Sandeep Warrier some time later.

At the opposite finish, opener R. Samarth (57) scored a half-century and added 132 runs for the second wicket with Padikkal, setting an excellent platform for the guests.

Ranji Trophy Highlights

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 an easy catch at long-on off Ajith Ram. After that, Padikkal made TN pay the worth, as he took aside Sai Kishore, hitting him for a six and two fours off consecutive deliveries to race to his sixth First-Class ton in fashion.

In the ultimate session, TN fought again with three fast wickets by way of 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 one of the best bowler on the day. He bowled with management and guile however bought just one over earlier than lunch and was given a prolonged spell solely late into the second session, by which era Padikkal was already properly set for an enormous one.