Ranji Trophy: Karnataka Leads Tripura After Solid Fifties on Day 2

Karnataka established a 103-run lead over Tripura on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match in Mysuru on Tuesday, finishing the day at 297 for seven. Resuming from an overnight score of 10 for one, the hosts were propelled by resilient half-centuries from Rohan Patil, KV Aneesh, and veteran batter Karun Nair.

After nightwatchman Vyshak Vijaykumar departed early, Patil and Aneesh constructed an 82-run partnership for the third wicket. Following Patil's dismissal by Abhijit Sarkar for 72 off 130 balls, Aneesh and Karun formed a solid 105-run stand for the fourth wicket. Aneesh contributed 68 runs from 142 balls, while Karun scored 63 runs off 85 balls.

Tripura staged a comeback by taking quick wickets to reduce Karnataka to 225 for five, a stage where the hosts led by only 28 runs. The visitors further troubled Karnataka by removing skipper Shreyas Gopal and KL Shrijith. However, a late contribution from Aneeshwar Gautam, who finished unbeaten alongside Manvanth Kumar, helped extend the first-innings lead past 100 runs.

At stumps on Tuesday, Karnataka reached 297 for seven in 95 overs, with Gautam on 33 and Kumar on six. The team will look to add more runs to their total on the third day to increase pressure on Tripura, whose first-innings score was 197. Abhijit Sarkar was among the wicket-takers for Tripura, claiming 3 for 59.