The Ranji Trophy 2024/25 season continues to deliver thrilling cricketing action, with Karnataka stamping their authority against Punjab at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. R Smaran of Karnataka put up incredible displays throughout the game, and their well-organised speed assault left Punjab reeling.
Smaran’s Century: A Red-Hot Streak
R Smaran, the batting sensation for Karnataka, maintained his explosive play against Punjab with a brilliant century. The elegant left-hander, who came in at 59/2 with Karnataka in a difficult position, showed composure and resolve by smashing an incredible 83* off 100 balls. With 12 boundaries and a six during his innings, Smaran demonstrated his ability to precisely overpower bowlers.
This season, Smaran has been unstoppable. After hitting a century against Vidarbha in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, the youthful hitter has solidified his status as one of the most promising players in Indian domestic cricket. His innings was vital in giving Karnataka the upper hand in this game and increasing their advantage against Punjab.
Karnataka’s Pacers Wreak Havoc
Earlier, Karnataka’s unrelenting pace assault caused Punjab’s batting order to collapse. Abhilash Shetty, Prasidh Krishna, and Vasuki Koushik swept through the Punjab batting order, dismissing them for a pitiful 55 in just 29 overs.
- Vasuki Koushik: With four wickets at a cost of just 16 runs, the seasoned pacer was the most impressive bowler. The Punjab hitters were completely bewildered by his deft variations and ability to create movement from the surface.
- Abhilash Shetty: With three wickets at 19 runs, Shetty provided Koushik with a scorching spell.
- Prasidh Krishna: The seasoned bowler kept a tight line and length the entire time, adding two scalps to his total.
Punjab’s problems were exacerbated when captain Shubman Gill was removed for just 4 runs, continuing his dismal run of form. Notwithstanding the difficult pitch conditions, the Karnataka bowlers carried out their strategies well, easily destroying Punjab’s lineup.
Batting Collapse for Punjab
Punjab’s innings was a story of bad shot selection and lost opportunities. Prabhsimran Singh and Anmolpreet Singh, two important hitters, did not make a substantial contribution. The squad never recovered from Gill’s early departure, which laid the stage for the collapse. Only Mayank Markande (12) and Ramandeep Singh (16) reached double figures, demonstrating how dominant Karnataka’s bowlers are.Vasuki Koushik’s clever variations and Abhilash Shetty’s pace rattled Punjab’s lineup, leaving them clueless. The lack of partnerships and poor shot execution further compounded Punjab’s struggles, resulting in their lowest total this season.
Karnataka’s Strong Reply
Karnataka responded clinically with the bat. KV Aneesh, the opener, laid the groundwork for a strong total with a rapid 33 from 37 balls. Smaran stayed tall, forming an important 81-run partnership with KL Shrijith (26), even though the team lost Mayank Agarwal (20) and Devdutt Padikkal (27) cheaply.
By stumps on the first day, Karnataka had amassed a commanding 144-run advantage at 199/4. Abhinav Manohar, who was not out on one, provided excellent assistance for Smaran, who was unbeaten at 83.
What Lies Ahead?
Punjab has an uphill battle to get back into the game now that Karnataka’s spinners and hitters have placed the club in control. With Karnataka’s pacers blazing and Smaran in scorching form, the squad appears poised to solidify their position even more on Day 2.
With players like Smaran and Koushik stepping up when it counts most, this game serves as a reminder of the depth and skill in Karnataka’s cricket lineup. Punjab will have an opportunity to recover and fight in the second innings.
Conclusion
Stay tuned for more updates from the Ranji Trophy, as the tournament continues to showcase the best of Indian domestic cricket. Visit most trusted platform for further updates.