​ Karnataka dominates opening day of CK Nayudu trophy finals

KANPUR: Host Karnataka showcased a dominant batting display courtesy to middle order batsmen Yadhavardhan Pratap and Kruthik Krishna on the opening day of the Col CK Nayudu trophy final at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
Their unbroken partnership of 131 runs for the sixth wicket propelled Karnataka to a commanding total of 5 for 325 in their first innings against UP on Sunday.Having elected to bat first, Karnataka’s top-order batsmen made starts but failed to convert them into substantial individual scores.
Yashovardhan and Kruthik came together at a precarious 194 for 5 and steadied the innings admirably. Their partnership blossomed, accumulating runs at a brisk pace with Yashovardhan on 84 and Kruthik on 58 at stumps. Their innings commenced with a solid opening stand of 68 runs between Mecnil HN and Prakar Chaturvedi.
However, medium-pacer Kunal Tyagi dismissed Prakar, caught by Aaradhya Yadav for a patient 33 off 69 balls. Aneesh KV joined Mecnil, adding 73 runs for the second wicket before Shubham Mishra ended Aneesh’s innings on 43. Macneil took charge, playing aggressively before being run out on Rituraj Sharma’s throw for a well-compiled 68, including five boundaries and two sixes.
Skipper Samaran R and Aneeshwar Gautam made brief contributions before falling to Shubham and Kritagya KK Singh respectively. Despite minor collapse, Yashovardhan and Kruthik’s partnership thwarted UP’s attempts to break through. Yashovardhan 84 came off 111 balls, studded with 12 boundaries, while Kruthik supported him with a steady 58 off 103 balls, featuring five boundaries.
UP coach Mohd Amir in a telephonic conversation stated that his bowlers had to work hard on Monday to restrict the innings of Karnataka. The wicket was easy and helped batsmen therefore his bowlers had to pick the right spot to contain them and grab the wicket.
Score board: Karnataka first innings-Macneil HN run out 68, Prakar Chaturvedi c Aaradhya Yadav b Kunal Tyagi 43, Aneesh KC c Rituraj b Shubham Mishra 43, Samran R c Siddharth Yadav b Shubham Mishra 13, Aneeshwar Gautam c Rituraj Sharma Kritagya KK Singh 18, Yashovardhan batting 84, Kruthik Krishna batting 58, Extras-8, Total-5 for 325 (90 overs).
Fall of Wickets-1-68, 2-141, 3-150, 4-162, 5-194
Bowling-Aqib Khan 16-3-56-0, Kunal Tyagi 12-2-55-1, Shubham Mishra 25-0-76-2, Kritagya KK Singh 20-3-72-1, Vipraj Nigam 15-1-50 – 0, Rituraj Sharma 2-0-9-0.