Ranji Trophy | Nikin and Shreyas deny Madhya Pradesh three factors

Crew sport: Nikin fell one wanting a century however will probably be proud of the purpose he gained for Karnataka.
| Photograph Credit score: N. SUDARSHAN

Nikin Jose’s back-to-the-wall 99 (216b, 8×4, 6×4) denied Madhya Pradesh the bragging rights over Karnataka as their 2024-25 Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C opener petered out to a draw on the Holkar Stadium right here on Monday.

The host declared in a single day on 425 for eight, giving itself a minimal of 98 overs to bowl Karnataka out and safe three factors. For the customer, gaining the lead was a far-fetched proposition, however it was the perfect alternative to indicate the abdomen for a struggle and set the tone for the season forward.

Nikin and Shreyas Gopal (60 n.o., 110b, 7×4, 1×6) did precisely that as they rescued Karnataka from a precarious 72 for 4 with a 127-run partnership. Nikin fell wanting a much-deserved century, trapped leg-before on the back-foot by left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya minutes earlier than tea.

However by then, the 24-year-old, who had endured a below-par 2023-24 marketing campaign, had performed sufficient, each for his workforce and himself. At 206 for 5, unhealthy mild and a slight drizzle formally ended proceedings and gave the perimeters a degree every.

Nikin, who opened the innings, noticed offie Saransh Jain and Kartikeya bamboozle his colleagues, bowling 32 of the 37 overs within the morning session because the brand-new cherry gripped, turned and bounced.

Mayank Agarwal and Manish Pandey had been each caught by the close-in fielders off Kartikeya whereas Devdutt Padikkal paid the value for taking part in again to Saransh’s supply that slid and thudded into the pads.

Debutant R. Smaran concentrated exhausting (17, 51b, 1×4, 1×6), however had his off-stump rearranged by Saransh whereas making an attempt to protect in opposition to the one that might maintain its line.

From there on, Nikin and Shreyas buckled down. After safely negotiating till lunch, the duo scored briskly, accumulating 46 runs from the following 10 overs.

Nikin, after impressing together with his lower photographs early, slapped Saransh for a 4 and 6 down the bottom. The half-century was had by flicking Avesh Khan to the mid-wicket fence.

Shreyas, who was reprieved by Rajat Patidar at backward short-leg when on six, performed the perfect foil, nudging, driving and sweeping his approach to his fifteenth First Class fifty.

Nikin moved into the 90s with towering back-to-back maximums off Saransh. Kartikeya spared his spin accomplice of additional distress, however it got here a tad too late.

The scores:

Madhya Pradesh – 1st innings: 425 for eight decl.

Karnataka – 1st innings: Nikin Jose lbw b Kartikeya 99, Mayank Agarwal c Dubey b Kartikeya 0, Devdutt Padikkal lbw b Saransh 16, R. Smaran b Saransh 17, Manish Pandey c Patidar b Kartikeya 9, Shreyas Gopal (not out) 60, Sujay Sateri (not out) 2; Extras (lb-3): 3; Complete (for 5 wkts. in 75 overs): 206.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-28, 3-53, 4-72, 5-199.

Madhya Pradesh bowling: Kartikeya 33-13-68-3, Avesh 4-1-10-0, Saransh 31-5-103-2, Shubham 2-0-12-0, Khejroliya 4-0-9-0, Venkatesh 1-0-1-0.

PoM: Shubham Sharma.