Robin Uthappa and Karun Nair scored sublime fifties to put defending champions Karnataka in a commanding position against Railways on day three of the fog-hit Ranji Trophy Group A cricket match here today.
Railways, resuming the day at 106 for four, were all out for 171 against a high-quality Karnataka pace attack led by Sreenath Aravind (4/43) and Abhimanyu Mithun (3/53). The visitors had made 247 after opting to bat on a tricky surface.
Karnataka were cruising in their second innings, thanks to an unbeaten 130-run stand between the stylish pair of Uthappa (70 runs off 105 balls) and Nair (61 off 98). The two remained unbeaten at stumps with Karnataka at 131 for one and leading by 207 runs.
Karnataka are now assured of getting three points for securing the first-innings lead and will be going for their third win on the trot tomorrow. The outcome will also depend on how the weather holds.
Dense fog delayed the start of day's play for the third day in a row and action could only begin at 11.20 am.
Soon sunshine made way for the hazy surroundings and after Karnataka dismissed the home team post lunch, their batsmen treated the sparse crowd at the Karnail Singh Stadium to some delightful stroke play.
Uthappa and Nair made batting look easy on a deteriorating pitch. Both matched each other stroke for stroke, whether it were the delectable straight drive, the wristy flick or the punch through cover.
Uthappa did no harm to his World Cup chances ahead of the selection early next month by hitting his third fifty in six innings so far in the season. His 105-ball effort comprised 10 boundaries.
Nair was not far behind. He collected nine boundaries in his 98-ball knock and brought up his fifty with a straight six off left-arm spinner Avinash Yadav. With first-innings lead gained, Uthappa said Karnataka will be going for the kill.
"We had discussed about the importance of partnerships before the innings began and I am glad Karun and I were able to contribute to that. 250 is a defendable score with the bowling line-up we have but we don't want to take our opposition lightly. So we will be happy giving them anything between 300-325 to chase," said Uthappa.
However, a draw still looks to be the most likely outcome considering the prevailing weather.
Brief scores: Karnataka 247 and 131/1 (Robin Uthappa 70 batting, Karun Nair 61 batting; Anureet Singh 1/43) Railways 171 (Anustup Majumdar 38, Abhishek Kaushik 59; Sreenath Aravind 4/43).
