Ranji Trophy: Padikkal, Smaran pile on the agony for Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand’s mesmerising run in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy experienced a sobering reality check as Karnataka buried it under a mountain of runs on day two of the semifinal at the Ekana Cricket Stadium here on Monday.

From an overnight 355 for two, the eight-time champion finished on a mammoth 689 for six, with skipper Devdutt Padikkal smashing his maiden First Class double century (232, 330b, 29×4, 3×6) and R. Smaran his fifth ton (121 batting, 191b, 11×4).

Karun Nair would be gutted for not capitalising on the great batting conditions, falling as he did for 60 (105b, 8×4, 1×6), caught behind playing a loose shot to speedster Abhay Negi.

That Karnataka meant business from the get-go on the second morning was evident in Padikkal’s urgency. The southpaw unleashed an array of sublime drives, flicks and cuts, and nonchalantly reverse-swept Uttarakhand’s frontline spinner Mayank Mishra.

The 25-year-old accumulated 52 runs from as many balls to breach the coveted double-hundred mark and leave behind his previous best of 193 (vs. Punjab in January 2024).

His dismissal was an anti-climax, with wicketkeeper Saurabh Rawat taking a sharp low catch down the leg-side off part-time spinner Lakshya Raichandani’s third ball.

Smaran batted with remarkable poise and was meticulous in his run-making.
| Photo Credit:
R.V. MOORTHY

But Smaran ensured that Padikkal’s exit wouldn’t disturb the Karnataka batting parade in the slightest.

The 22-year-old batted with remarkable poise and was meticulous in his run-making when being complacent and trying to play fancy shots would not have felt incongruous on a placid track.

That he accumulated more than half his runs in singles told the story (71 of 121). It was only apt that he reached the three-figure mark with a tapped single to mid-on.

Wicketkeeper Kruthik Krishna, too, enjoyed his stay, scoring his first Ranji half-century (60, 103b, 6×4, 1×6). His most eye-catching shots were the five boundaries he hit in the third-man area.

Vidyadhar Patil (35 batting, 107b, 1×4, 1×6) is just three runs shy of his best First Class score. When the sun shines, it is natural that everyone will make hay.

The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: K.L. Rahul c & b Aditya 141, Mayank Agarwal c Prashant b Aditya 5, Devdutt Padikkal c Saurabh b Raichandani 232, Karun Nair c Saurabh b Abhay 60, R. Smaran (batting) 121, Shreyas Gopal b Aditya 0, Kruthik Krishna b Avneesh 60, Vidyadhar Patil (batting) 35; Extras (b-11, lb-6, nb-5, w-8, p-5): 35; Total (for six wkts. in 180 overs): 689.

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-296, 3-425, 4-484, 5-485, 6-608.

Uttarakhand bowling: Abhay 29-4-99-1, Janmejay 29-5-94-0, Aditya 29-3-132-3, Mayank 38-1-167-0, Suchith 10-0-43-0, Avneesh 35-2-107-1, Lakshya 10-1-25-1.