Ranji Trophy | Karnataka and Goa share honours on a rain-hit opening day

Honours were even at stumps on day one of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match between Karnataka and Goa at the KSCA Navule Stadium here on Saturday.

After Goa opted to bowl and reduced the hosts to 128 for five, a 94-run association (148b) between Karun Nair (86 batting, 138b, 7×4, 1×6) and Shreyas Gopal (48 batting, 84b, 5×4, 1×6) ensured 222 runs on the board and a shot at a decent-sized total for Karnataka’s four-man pace attack to defend.

Until then, Karnataka was kept under a tight leash. V. Koushik, formerly of Karnataka, was at his miserly best (18-7-24-2), took the prized scalp of skipper Mayank Agarwal (28, 69b, 4×4) and plucked a fine catch at square-leg to excise the dangerous Abhinav Manohar (37, 64b, 6×4).

Karnataka’s Abhinav Manohar in action against Goa in a 2025-26 Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match at the KSCA Navule Stadium in Shivamogga, on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
N. Sudarshan

If not for the rain-induced delayed start of 90 minutes, Koushik, primarily a swing bowler, might have had more assistance. Despite the sun beating down, the 33-year-old bowled an unrelenting fourth-stump line as Karnataka went into lunch at 15 for no loss from 12 overs.

The speedster and Mayank then indulged in a cat-and-mouse game, with the captain repeatedly stepping out to negate the movement and Koushik, every now and then, asking the wicket-keeper to stand up to the stumps to keep the batter in check. Koushik had the final laugh, having Mayank caught at slip.

Goa pacer V. Koushik in action against Karnataka in a 2025-26 Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match at the KSCA Navule Stadium in Shivamogga, on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
N. Sudarshan

Karun, though, played the role of a senior statesman to perfection. The 33-year-old started with a streaky edged double but was solid thereafter. The two expertly steered fours to the third-man fence off Vijesh Prabhudesai and the towering six over left-arm spinner Darshan Misal’s head showcased both his class and power.

Goa was hampered by off-spinner Mohit Redkar’s limited role as he hobbled off in the 11th over after hurting his leg on a still-damp and heavy outfield. It denied Goa control after Koushik and fellow fast-bowler Arjun Tendulkar (17-5-47-3) had done the heavy lifting. Karun and Shreyas duly capitalised.

The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: Nikin Jose c Khutkar b Arjun 3, Mayank Agarwal c Kauthankar b Koushik 28, K.L. Shrijith c Dubhashi b Arjun 0, Karun Nair (batting) 86, R. Smaran c Tejrana b Koushik 3, Abhinav Manohar c Koushik b Arjun 37, Shreyas Gopal (batting) 48; Extras (b-5, lb-9, nb-3): 17; Total (for five wkts. in 69 overs): 222.

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-26, 3-47, 4-65, 5-128.

Goa bowling: Arjun 17-5-47-3, Koushik 18-7-24-2, Vijesh 14-3-57-0, Misal 11-0-56-0, Redkar 5-0-16-0, Suyash 4-0-8-0.

Toss: Goa.