Kamal Ghorui
KL Rahul produced a commanding century to guide Karnataka to a memorable four-wicket win over 42-time champions Mumbai, sealing a place in the Ranji Trophy semifinals on Monday. Chasing a challenging target of 325 in their quarterfinal at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Bandra Kurla Complex, Karnataka leaned on Rahul’s class and composure. The India batter struck his 24th first-class hundred, scoring 130 from 182 deliveries, laced with 14 fours and a six, to anchor the chase.
Rahul found strong support in Ravichandran Smaran, and the pair put together a crucial 147-run partnership for the fourth wicket on the penultimate day of the match. Their stand took Karnataka into a position of control, with the visitors reaching 265 for three by the lunch interval. Rahul’s innings ended shortly after the break when he was dismissed by Tushar Deshpande, briefly reviving Mumbai’s hopes. Deshpande and Tanush Kotian then picked up two more wickets to reduce Karnataka to 285 for six, still 40 runs short of victory. However, Smaran held his nerve under pressure. The 22-year-old remained unbeaten on a composed 83 from 123 balls, hitting 11 boundaries, and saw Karnataka through to the finish. Vidyadhar Patil eventually struck the winning run, completing a significant victory for the eight-time champions. Rahul, 33, celebrated his century with little fuss, raising his bat briefly before resuming his focus. He reached the landmark by guiding Kotian through the off side for four. Since joining Karnataka late in the group stage, Rahul’s presence has proved vital, following a first-innings fifty against Punjab earlier in the tournament. Karnataka will now face Uttarakhand in the semifinal in Bengaluru next week.
