Debutant Sreeram Venkata Rahul and K Revanth Reddy scripted one of Andhra’s memorable fightbacks as they helped their side take a handy 57-run lead with four wickets still in hand against Karnataka at the Dr Gokaraju Liala Gangaraju ACA cricket ground in Mulapadu, Vijayawada, on Monday.
Chasing Karnataka’s 274, Andhra were at one time reeling at 116 for five and it looked as if Andhra would cave in against the strong Karnataka attack. But Rahul and Revanth turned the tide with a fabulous double century partnership that stunned the visitors.
Andhra at stumps on the second day were 331 for six with Rahul batting on 108 off 187 balls with 10 boundaries. Revanth was unlucky to fall after a fighting 97 off 143 balls with 13 fours.
Karnataka skipper Smaran hits a fine century to deny Andhra the honours on the first day
Resuming at 16 for two with Abhishek Reddy on 10 and Shaik Rasheed on 1, Andhra fought back valiantly before Abhishek was trapped by Shikhar Shetty for 30 off 43 balls with five fours.
Rasheed and skipper Ricky Bhui then tried to build the innings, but debutant Rithesh Bhatkal had other ideas. The off-spinner had Bhui (18) caught by KL Rahul and Andhra were reduced to 92 for four.
Things went worse when another debutant Madhav Bajaj sent back the set Rasheed. The left-arm spinner trapped Rasheed leg before after the Andhra batter had made 54 off 121 balls with four boundaries.
Rahul and Revanth turn the tide
Andhra now had lost half their side with just 116 on board, and they were still 158 runs behind. Not many gave Andhra a chance of fighting back, but Rahul and Revanth were unfazed by the situation.
The duo took their time to settle down while milking the Karnataka bowlers. The runs were not easy to come but the batters seemed to be in no hurry as they patiently wore down the rival attack.
The Andhra batters built the innings brick by brick and by the end they had added an unthinkable 202 off 306 runs for the sixth wicket which helped Andhra take the all-important first innings lead.
The partnership was finally broken by Shikhar Shetty, who had Revanth caught by Rahul with the Andhra batter agonizingly falling three runs short of what would have been a well-deserved century. Revanth Reddy’s 97 came off 143 balls with 3 hits to the fence. Both Revanth and Sreeram contributed an identical 97 each to the partnership.
At stumps, Rahul was bating on 108 and giving him company was KV Sasikanth on 6. Shetty took three for 72, while Bajaj got two for 88.
Brief scores: Karnataka 274 vs Andhra 331 for six in 95 overs (Abhishek Reddy 30, Shaik Rasheed 54, Sreeram Rahul 108 batting, Revanth Reddy 97; Shikhar Shetty 3/72, Madhav Bajaj 2/88).
