Lucknow: In an exhibition of classical yet aggressive left-handed batting, Karnataka cemented their dominance in the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Uttarakhand, posting a commanding 689 for 6 declared on Day 2 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. The innings was anchored by skipper Devdutt Padikkal's career-best 232 — his maiden double century in first-class cricket — and a composed, unbeaten 121 from R Smaran, as three left-handers combined to dismantle the opposition bowling with clinical precision.

Padikkal's Masterclass: A Long-Awaited Double Century

Resuming the day on 355/2 and on 148 not out, Padikkal wasted no time in asserting his dominance. The southpaw reached his 232 off just 330 balls, studded with 29 fours and three sixes. Known for his elegant cover drives and deft flicks, Padikkal blended authority with grace, moving past his previous best of 193 — a score that had haunted him.

“It’s always great to get a double hundred. You don’t get those opportunities often, so I’m happy I could do it,” Padikkal said after the day’s play. “I was disappointed that day. When I got close to the double hundred here, I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss out again.”

His 232 not only marked a personal milestone but also served as a strong statement ahead of India’s selection radar, especially with the team struggling for consistency in home Test conditions. Despite earning only two Test caps in 2024, Padikkal’s consistent domestic performances continue to bolster his case for national recall.

Left-Handed Symphony at the Crease

The day belonged to the left-handers. Alongside Padikkal, R Smaran and Kruthik Krishna brought a unique rhythm to Karnataka’s innings. Smaran’s sublime 121 not out from 191 balls, including 11 boundaries, was a study in composure and timing, while Kruthik played a contrasting, audacious knock of 60, keeping the scoreboard moving with aggressive strokeplay.

The trio, supported by Karun Nair’s 60 and Vidhyadhar Patil’s unbeaten 35, ensured Karnataka maintained relentless pressure. After Padikkal and Nair added 129 for the third wicket, Smaran partnered with Kruthik to add 118 crucial runs, effectively blunting any attempt by Uttarakhand to claw back into the game.

Team Effort Amid Captaincy Responsibilities

Appointed Karnataka captain midway through the season, Padikkal has managed to balance leadership with personal performance. “Of course, it feels different, but I’m trying not to let captaincy affect the way I play. Having experienced players like KL Rahul and Karun Nair around has been a blessing,” he said.

When Padikkal was dismissed shortly after reaching his double century — edging a pull shot off 17-year-old debutant Lakshya Raichandani — it briefly lifted Uttarakhand’s spirits. But Smaran remained unfazed, bringing up his fifth first-class century in just 150 balls and steering Karnataka past 600. Shreyas Gopal fell for a duck, bowled by Aditya Rawat, but the damage was already done.

Pitch Praise and Grand Ambitions

With favorable batting conditions, Padikkal emphasized the importance of capitalizing on such opportunities. “When you get good batting conditions after playing on tough Ranji wickets, you must stay hungry and cash in,” he said. “We want to put a big total on the board.”

He praised the Lucknow pitch for supporting quality red-ball cricket. “It’s a great wicket. Lucknow generally has produced some good wickets for multi-day cricket. We’re happy that, so far, it’s played well.”

Scoreboard Summary

Karnataka (1st Innings): 689/6 declared in 180 overs
Devdutt Padikkal: 232 (330b, 29x4, 3x6)
R Smaran: 121* (191b, 11x4)
Kruthik Krishna: 60
Karun Nair: 60
Vidhyadhar Patil: 35*
Extras: 24 (NB-5, W-8, B-11, LB-6, pen 5)

Fall of Wickets: 3-425, 4-484, 5-485, 6-608

Uttarakhand Bowling: Abhay Negi 1/99, Aditya Rawat 3/132, Avneesh Sudha 1/107, Mayank Mishra 0/167, J Suchith 0/43, Lakshya Raichandani 1/25

With three days still remaining, Karnataka is expected to push for an outright result, putting immense pressure on Uttarakhand’s relatively inexperienced batting unit in the second innings.