Karnataka coach Vinay Kumar praises Karun

For the third straight season, Karnataka has emerged with no more than a point from its Ranji Trophy opener.

But against Andhra on Wednesday in Mulapadu near here, it may not be that bad a result, for it missed all five of its frontline bowlers because of injuries, and handed debuts to three.

If anything, its top-order should have fared better in the first innings, giving a fledgling bowling unit some cushion.

“There were many positives, especially the way the debutants played,” insisted coach R. Vinay Kumar. “Manvanth [Kumar] played a crucial knock in the second innings (44), and Madhav Bajaj also batted well with Karun [Nair].

“The way Karun batted, leading from the front in the second innings, and Smaran’s debut as captain and the composure he showed, were positives.