Nair, Agarwal put Karnataka on top in CK Nayudu Trophy

Bangalore - Skipper Karun Nair (118 batting, 178b, 11×4, 5×6) rescued Karnataka from a tricky position as the hosts made 342 for four at stumps in response to Himachal Pradesh’s first innings total of 296 on the second day of the CK Nayudu Elite A tournament, here Saturday.

Nair was involved in two fruitful partnership that helped Karnataka to recover from a order slump despite a knock of 91 (107b, 19×4) by opener Mayank Agarwal.

Nair and PU Deshpande (38) added 71 runs for the fourth wicket and then the skipper was involved in an unfinished fifth wicket stand of 131 with Shreyas Gopal (59 batting, 114b, 7×4).

Earlier, Himachal, resuming at their overnight score of 260 for eight, stretched their innings to 296 with first day centurion NR Gangta adding only 12 runs before getting out for 129.

Seamers Aditya Sagar and HS Sharath came away with three wickets apiece while off-spinner M Gowtham picked up two.

Brief scores:

Himachal Pradesh (1st innings): 296 all out in 92.3 overs (NR Gangta 129, AK Kaushik 39, JP Singh 34, HS Sharath 3 for 59, Aditya Sagar 3 for 30, K Gowtham 2 for 84) vs Karnataka (1st innings) 342 for 4 in 85 overs (Mayank Agarwal 91, Karun Nair 118 batting, PU Deshpande 38, Shreyas Gopal 59 batting).