Karnataka spin duo dismantle Assam on opening day of Ranji Trophy clash

Karnataka seized complete control of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B fourth-round encounter against Assam on Monday, ending the opening day at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium with a commanding first-innings lead. After skittling the hosts for a modest total, the visitors’ top order capitalised to put their side in a dominant position.

The day belonged to Karnataka’s spin tandem, Ritesh Bhatkal and Shikhar Shetty, who combined to dismantle the Assam batting lineup. The pair shared all ten wickets, with off-spinner Bhatkal finishing with impressive figures of 5/35, while left-arm spinner Shetty proved equally lethal, claiming 5/53. Their disciplined performance ensured that Assam, who elected to bat first, never gained any meaningful momentum.

In response, Karnataka’s openers wasted no time in asserting their authority. Rohan Patil and Mayank Agarwal put together a blistering 129-run partnership that erased the deficit and shifted the pressure firmly back onto the home side. Patil was particularly aggressive, racing to 89 off 87 balls, an innings punctuated by 13 boundaries and a six. This performance follows his recent 72-run effort against Tripura.

While Amlanjyoti Das provided a brief glimmer of hope for Assam by dismissing both Patil and Krishnan Shrijith in quick succession, Karnataka remained unperturbed. By the time bad light forced an early conclusion to the day's play, the visitors had reached 180/2. Agarwal remained unbeaten on 57 from 95 balls, accompanied by KV Aneesh, as Karnataka ended the day with a 45-run lead and eight wickets in hand.