Ranji Trophy: Karnataka secure first innings lead; J&K in command vs Pondicherry

Karnataka secured the first innings lead against Railways despite a ton by Arindam Ghosh (105) and Mohammad Saif's knock of 84 on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match here on Saturday. Resuming at the overnight score of 213 for 3, Ghosh and Saif added 81 more runs and kept the Railways on course before leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal broke the 96-run fourth wicket partnership by dismissing the former. Ghosh's batting was slow when compared to Friday but he hit two sixes on the trot to reach his ton.

Gopal trapped Ghosh leg-before wicket to end a stand that was threatening to take the fight to the Karnataka team. Left-handed batter Saif continued to bat well and ensured that there were no further losses till lunch as Railways moved to 303 for 4. Vidhyadhar Patil struck after the lunch interval, getting Upendra Yadav (12).

Skipper Karn Sharma was caught behind off Patil to leave the team at 329 for 6. Saif struck four consecutive boundaries before being stumped by keeper S Sharath to give K Gowtham his fourth wicket. Railways' batting faltered and they appeared set to concede a huge lead before Yuvraj Singh hit 48.

His exit at 419 to Ronit More (3/67) saw the team slide to 426 all out, handing a 55-run lead to Karnataka. India Test batter Mayank Agarwal started confidently in the second innings and has hit five fours and a six in his unbeaten 39. Devdutt Padikkal (4) fell early but R Samarth (20 batting) ensured that there were no further hiccups as Karnataka ended the day at 63 for 1, an overall lead of 118 runs with a day to go.