Karnataka stands between Uttarakhand and a maiden final

A first Ranji Trophy final since its title-winning exploits in 2014-15 beckons Karnataka as it takes on Uttarakhand in the semifinals of the 2025-26 edition at the Ekana Cricket Stadium from Sunday.

Coming as it does on the back of two splendid victories over Punjab (five wickets) and Mumbai (four wickets), Karnataka should fancy its chances. The Devdutt Padikkal-led squad has also attained full-strength, with speedster V. Vyshak having recovered from his hamstring injury.

The quarterfinal win over heavyweight Mumbai will in particular boost the outfit, for the successful 325-run chase was Karnataka’s second-highest fourth-innings total in history.

It was fashioned by a fine century from K.L. Rahul (130, 182b, 14×4, 1×6) and a solid, unbeaten 83 (123b, 11×4) from southpaw R. Smaran. For the latter, the innings signalled a timely return to form after scores of 0, 1 and 9.

However, for all the good omens, it is a fact that Karnataka has lost in the semifinals of the premier red-ball competition four times in the last decade. Coach Yere Goud, though, insisted that that baggage will not turn into a burden.

“Definitely not looking at that,” Goud said on match-eve. “We are focussing on doing the good things that have brought us this far. It is important to be there or thereabouts from ball one.”

This desire to remain focused and sharp is because Uttarakhand is no pushover. Despite making its First Class debut as recently as 2018-19, the mountain State has finished a quarterfinalist thrice. The 2025-26 campaign marks its maiden last-four appearance.

Skipper Kunal Chandela’s 709 runs and left-arm spinner Mayank Mishra’s table-topping 52 wickets have been instrumental in the ascent, with the latter securing a match-haul of eight for 72 in the last-eight triumph over Jharkhand.

It remains to be seen how much purchase Mayank and former Karnataka spinner J. Suchith (25 wickets and 414 runs) get from the Lucknow pitch, which Goud expects to be a “good batting surface”.

If they can help avenge Uttarakhand’s innings-and-281-run quarterfinal defeat to Karnataka in 2022-23 – the only previous meeting between the sides – it will be a story for the ages.