Ranji Trophy: Manish Pandey hits ton, KL Rahul fails

Bengaluru, Oct 15: Manish Pandey (104) hit a fine century but Karnataka were pegged back in the final session by Vidarbha on the opening day of their 4-day Group A Ranji Trophy match here today.

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After being sent to bat by opposition skipper S Badrinath, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Karnataka batsmen dominated for most part of the day but lost 3 wickets in the post-tea play on Thursday (October 15). At stumps, They were 298/6 in 89.5 overs.

A file picture of Manish Pandey, who scored his 16th first-class hundred

The 26-year-old Pandey was the batting star for the hosts as he brought up his 16th first-class hundred in the last session of the day. Soon after reaching the three-figure mark, the No. 4 batsman fell to left-arm paceman Ravi Thakur to a delivery that kept low and disturbed the stumps.

Pandey hit 13 fours and a six on way to a 163-ball 104. There were half centuries from opener Robin Uthappa (59, 134 balls, 10x4) and No. 5 Karun Nair (58, 87 balls, 7x4, 2x6). Manish and Karun had a 148-run partnership for the 4th wicket.

Both Manish and Karun were went sent back by Thakur off successive deliveries (different overs). Thakur got Manish's wicket on the last ball of the 79th over and returned to dismiss Karun on the 1st ball of 81st over.

When it looked like Karnataka would walk off winning the day, 3 wickets made the honours even. From 266/3, the defending champions ended the day at 298/6 with Shreyas Gopal (18) dismissed on the last ball of the day.

Indian Test opener KL Rahul, who is set to play against South Africa next month, scored 21 in his comeback match from injury.

Brief scores

Karnataka 298/6 in 89.5 overs (Manish Pandey 104, Robin Uthappa 59, Karun Nair 58, KL Rahul 21, Ravi Thakur 2/35) Vs Vidarbha

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