Ranji Trophy | Steely Karun stands between Andhra and an outright win
Karun Nair scored an unbeaten 81 to help Karnataka recover against Andhra on the third day of their Ranji Trophy match. Despite a strong start by Andhra, Karnataka's middle order managed to narrow the first-innings deficit.
Why it matters
The Ranji Trophy is the premier domestic cricket competition in India, serving as a key pathway for players to reach the national team.
Karun Nair kept Karnataka afloat with a steely, unbeaten 81 (130b, 8x4, 2x6) on day three of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy opener against Andhra on Tuesday.
At the ACA Stadium in Mulapadu near here, the 34-year-old helped his side erase a 144-run first-innings deficit and close at 176 for four. But the hosts still hold the advantage, and the first session on day four will prove decisive in their victory push.
The visitors’ response to Andhra’s 418 began in disastrous fashion as K.L. Rahul (1) and Mayank Agarwal (18) failed again, with left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar trapping both stalwarts in front with balls delivered from wide of the crease. However, Karnataka arrested the slide with the off-the-wall decision to send debutant left-hander Manvanth Kumar (44, 110b, 1x4, 2x6) up the order. Even as K.V. Aneesh fell for another low score (6), Manvanth and Karun combined for 94 runs.
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