Cricket

Indore's Holkar Stadium witnessed a frustrating day three of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C opener between Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka as inclement weather and poor light conditions halted play prematurely.After the opening day was washed out without a ball being bowled, Sunday's proceedings began under clear skies and sunshine. However, only 57 overs could be completed before light worsened, forcing an early tea break. Two rounds of rain subsequently brought an end to the day's play.At stumps, Madhya Pradesh had reached 425 for eight in their first innings, thanks to a solid batting performance led by skipper Shubham Sharma. Sharma, who had retired hurt on day one, returned to notch up his ninth First-Class century, scoring an unbeaten 143 off 243 deliveries.The 30-year-old exhibited a textbook approach to batting, playing with patience and precision. He defended resolutely, played close to his body, and always timed the ball well.Karnataka's bowlers, led by speedster V. Vyshak, started strongly. Vyshak dismissed Venkatesh Iyer in the second over of the day, while Harpreet Singh Bhatia was castled by V. Koushik for 91.However, Shubham and Saransh Jain (51 off 128 balls) steadied the Madhya Pradesh innings, putting on a 131-run partnership for the seventh wicket. This partnership ensured that Karnataka would likely only earn a single point from the match.Karnataka's absence of lead pacer Prasidh Krishna was keenly felt. Krishna, who had returned from a quadriceps injury in the Duleep Trophy, walked off the field on day one after bowling just eight overs. His absence left a void in the Karnataka attack, which struggled to make consistent breakthroughs.

India's pace spearhead Prasidh Krishna's fitness concerns have resurfaced after he sat out the third day of Karnataka's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore. The 28-year-old, who was recently named as a traveling reserve for India's upcoming Test series against New Zealand, had bowled only eight overs on the opening day of the match.Krishna's absence on day three raised eyebrows, especially considering his recent injury history. He had missed eight months of action due to a quadriceps injury sustained in January during Karnataka's previous Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat.Sources close to the team indicate that Krishna experienced some discomfort while running on the rain-battered outfield at the Holkar Stadium. The outfield conditions were challenging for all players, leading to the cancellation of an entire day's play on Saturday.Krishna's fitness is a major concern for the Indian team management ahead of their five-match tour of Australia starting late next month. The speedster is highly rated by the Indian think-tank, and his form and physical well-being are crucial for India's chances in the upcoming series.Karnataka missed Krishna's services badly on day three, as they struggled to bowl out Madhya Pradesh and secure the first-innings lead. The match is now evenly poised, with both teams having a chance to win.Krishna's fitness will be closely monitored in the coming days. If he is unable to recover in time for the Test series against New Zealand, it could force the Indian team to make a late change to their squad.

Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh played to a stalemate on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C encounter at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The hosts, after being asked to bat first, reached 232 for four from 83 overs, with Harpreet Singh Bhatia's unbeaten 75 (164b, 8x4) being the highlight.Overnight rain provided some assistance to the bowlers, and Karnataka's Prasidh Krishna struck early, trapping Himanshu Mantri (0) in front in the second over. However, the outfield was slightly soggy, which seemed to affect the Karnataka fielders, who were hesitant in going for many a ball.MP's batters were patient for the most part, but a rush of blood cost Subhransu Senapati (28, 61b, 4x4) his wicket, as he miscued a pull off Vyshak to be caught by wicketkeeper Sujay Sateri. Yash Dubey (20, 76b, 2x4) was adjudged caught behind, down the leg-side, off left-arm spinner Hardik Raj, a decision the batter wasn't too happy with.Harpreet combined for crucial half-century partnerships with Shubham Sharma (40, 88b, 2x4) and Rajat Patidar (31, 61b, 3x4), which propped up the innings. Harpreet, a veteran of 75 First Class matches, showcased his pressure-handling skills when faced with some tight bowling.Post-tea, Venkatesh Iyer brought in some urgency (25, 46b, 2x6). As the sun broke through for the first time, Venkatesh bloomed, launching leggie Shreyas Gopal over mid-wicket for a maximum and then dancing down the track to hammer V. Koushik straight down the ground.Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal impressed with a couple of diving saves, while an intruder ran in to click a selfie with Patidar but had to be content with a handshake after the on-field umpire's intervention.The match is evenly poised heading into day two, with both teams having a chance to take control of the contest.

Mayank Agarwal, the out-of-favor India opener, has been appointed as Karnataka's captain for their first two Ranji Trophy matches against Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. The 28-year-old will be eager to impress the selectors with some big runs after a lukewarm Duleep Trophy.Agarwal's deputy will be pacer Prasidh Krishna, who is also making a comeback to top-flight cricket after a long injury layoff. Krishna, who has a BCCI pace bowlers' contract, will be looking to improve his wicket tally after taking just four wickets in two matches for India A in the Duleep Trophy.Other key players in the Karnataka squad include Devdutt Padikkal, who will be hoping to continue his good form from the Duleep Trophy, and pacer Vysakh Vijayakumar, who will be eager to make his presence felt after a successful season with Kerala last year.However, pacer Vidwath Kaverappa, who is nursing an injury, did not find a place in the 16-member squad.Karnataka will face MP at Indore from October 11, while the former champions will take on Kerala at Bengaluru from October 18.

Arjun Tendulkar, the son of legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, has made a strong statement ahead of the upcoming first-class season with a match-winning nine-wicket haul in Goa's innings and 189-run victory over hosts Karnataka in the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament.In the first innings, Karnataka was dismissed for a paltry 103, with Arjun claiming 5/41 in 13 overs. Goa then posted a formidable 413, thanks to a century from Abhinav Tejrana (109) and a solid 69 from Manthan Khutkar.In the second innings, KSCA XI showed some improvement but were eventually bowled out for 121, with Arjun taking 4/46 in 13.3 overs. His match haul of 9/87 in 26.3 overs was instrumental in Goa's comprehensive victory.Arjun, who will turn 25 next week, has now played 49 competitive games across three formats at the senior level, claiming 68 wickets. In 13 first-class matches, he has taken 21 wickets.Arjun's performance has drawn comparisons to his illustrious father, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. However, Arjun's journey has been marked by both challenges and opportunities.He has previously trained under former India player Yograj Singh, the father of Yuvraj Singh. Yograj has praised Arjun's potential but also emphasized the importance of proper guidance and support."Arjun Tendulkar came to you for training. How do you see his future?" Yograj was asked in an interview."Have you seen diamond in a coal mine? Woh Koyla hi hai..nikalo patthar hi hai, kisi tarashgir ke haath me dalo to chamak ke duniya ko kohinoor ban jata hai (It is coal that is rock when taken out from a mine, but if it is given in proper hands, it goes on to become Kohinoor. It is priceless. But if that same diamond reaches a person who does not know its worth, he destroys it. I don't say it myself that Yograj Singh is a great character, Yuvraj Singh says it, 'there is magic in my dad's hand, he made me what I am.' Earlier, I was abused 'Hitler, Dragon Singh, I hate my father'. Everybody hated me in my home. My relatives said, I should not have been a father," Yograj Singh replied."But he walked his path. And by God's Grace you got Yuvraj Singh."Arjun's performance in the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament suggests that he is on the right track. With his talent and determination, he has the potential to follow in his father's footsteps and make a significant impact on the cricketing world.

Yere Goud has been reappointed as the head coach of the Karnataka men's cricket team, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced on Thursday. Goud replaces P.V. Shashikanth, who took charge in 2022.Goud previously held the post of Karnataka head coach from 2018 to 2022. During his tenure, the team won the Ranji Trophy in 2019 and 2022, and the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2019.Shashikant's departure comes after a middling 2023-24 season, where Karnataka reached the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.Goud, who was in charge of the Karnataka under-23 team that clinched a maiden C.K. Nayudu Trophy earlier this year, will be assisted by former Karnataka fast bowler Mansur Ali Khan as the senior men's bowling coach. J. Abhiram continues as the chairman of the senior men's selection committee.

Former Indian cricket captain and current head coach Rahul Dravid exercised his democratic right by casting his vote in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Bengaluru on Friday. Dravid, known for his humility and dedication, stood in line like any other citizen before casting his ballot at a polling booth in the Malleswaram constituency.After casting his vote, Dravid urged fellow citizens to participate in the electoral process. "Everyone must come out and vote. It is an opportunity we get in a democracy," he said to the media. Dravid's former teammate and legendary spinner Anil Kumble also cast his vote in Bengaluru, emphasizing the importance of exercising one's franchise.Karnataka, where Dravid and Kumble reside, is voting in two phases for the Lok Sabha elections. The second phase, held on Friday, saw polling in 14 constituencies, including Udupi Chikamagalur, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, and Bangalore South. The BJP, which won 25 out of 28 seats in Karnataka in the 2019 elections, is contesting in 25 seats this time, while its ally JDS is contesting in the remaining three.The first phase of the seven-phased Lok Sabha election was held on April 19, with over 62% voter turnout. The third phase will take place on May 7. The Election Commission has implemented strict measures to ensure free and fair elections, including the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATs).Dravid's participation in the electoral process serves as an inspiration to all citizens to fulfill their democratic duty. His message of urging people to vote highlights the importance of active participation in shaping the future of the nation.

Karnataka's historic Ranji Trophy triumph in 1973-74, which broke Bombay's 15-year dominance, was celebrated with a grand felicitation ceremony at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The event honored the victorious team members, who shared their memories and anecdotes from that unforgettable season.Led by the legendary off-spin wizard EAS Prasanna, Karnataka defeated a formidable Rajasthan side captained by Hanumant Singh by 185 runs in Jaipur on March 27, 1974. The victory marked the first of eight Ranji Trophy titles for the state.The nostalgia-filled event was graced by Prasanna, G.R. Viswanath, B.S. Chandrasekhar, Brijesh Patel, Syed Kirmani, A.V. Jayaprakash, B. Sudhakar Rao, Sanjay Desai, S. Vijayprakash, B. Siddaramu, R. Arunkumar, and B. Raghunath. Tributes were also paid to the three departed souls: V.S. Vijay Kumar, B. Vijayakrishna, and K. Lakshman."The win was very satisfying," recalled Prasanna. "The likes of Kirmani, Jayaprakash, and Vijayakrishna lifted their games and scored on a wicket that was conducive to our kind of bowling. The Karnataka team may not have looked very good on paper, but we were very effective on the pitch."However, the victory was not without its share of drama. On the rest day between the third and fourth days, the team members had partaken in Holi festivities and ingested Bhang, unknowingly."It took us two days to come down to earth [from the high]," said Viswanath, as the audience guffawed. "Everybody in the team was just laughing. But I had become very serious. The England tour was coming up, and I was a bit worried about that. I didn't get runs in the final.""But the important thing was that we won," Viswanath added. "The train journey back to Bangalore, which was supposed to be for two days, took nearly 3.5 days as the train stopped everywhere. But not a single passenger complained that the train was late."One of the highlights of the triumphant campaign was Karnataka's victory over Bombay in the semifinal, and Prasanna's dismissal of Sunil Gavaskar."It is one of the greatest deliveries I have ever seen," said Viswanath. "I was standing at first slip. It wasn't a doosra, teesra, or leg-cutter. Just a proper off-spinner that left the batter slightly. Sunil had covered everything, but may have just left a millimetre open. And Pras got him."The golden jubilee celebration was a fitting tribute to the Karnataka team that broke Bombay's stranglehold on the Ranji Trophy and etched their names in the annals of Indian cricket history.

Karnataka's batting lineup showcased resilience and determination on the opening day of the Col. C.K. Nayudu (U-23) Trophy final against Uttar Pradesh, amassing a formidable 325 runs for the loss of five wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.Middle-order batsman Yashovardhan Parantap emerged as the star performer, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 84 runs off 111 deliveries, studded with 12 boundaries. His crucial partnership with Kruthik Krishna (58 not out off 103 balls, 5 fours) for the sixth wicket, worth an unbroken 131 runs, propelled Karnataka to a commanding position.The home team's innings got off to a solid start as openers MacNeil H. Noronha (68 off 135 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) and Prakar Chaturvedi (33 off 69 balls, 4 fours) put on a 68-run stand. Noronha continued his impressive form, adding 73 runs with K.V. Aneesh (43 off 76 balls, 3 fours).However, a middle-order collapse saw Karnataka lose three wickets for just 21 runs, including that of captain R. Smaran. The hosts were in danger of losing momentum, but Parantap and Krishna stepped up to the plate.Parantap, known for his solid technique and ability to play long innings, held the innings together with his composed batting. He found an able ally in Krishna, who played a patient and supportive role. The duo rotated the strike effectively, punished loose deliveries, and gradually rebuilt Karnataka's innings.As the day drew to a close, Karnataka had established a strong foundation for the remainder of the match. With Parantap and Krishna still at the crease and the lower order yet to come, the home team will be confident of posting a challenging total.