Batsmen put Karnataka on top against Saurashtra

Bangalore: Riding on K B Pawan`s 118 and half centuries by skipper Ganesh Satish and Bharat Chipli, Karnataka consolidated its position at stumps on day two of their Ranji Trophy Elite Division match against Saurashtra on Wednesday.

Resuming at their overnight 107 for one, Karnataka ended the day on 369 for four with Pawan notching up his sixth first-class century. Pawan struck 15 boundaries during his 222-ball vigil before he fell caught and bowled to Siddharth Trivedi. Pawan was ably supported by Satish (54) and Chipli who remained unbeaten on 66 along with Stuart Binny (29 not out). Earlier, Karnataka batted through the first session without much ado as Pawan and Satish ran the Saurashtra attack ragged with their pugnacious approach. The homeside were sitting pretty at 249 for one when Trivedi produced the much-needed breakthrough for Saurashtra in the form of Satish, caught by wicketkeeper Sagar Jogiyani. But by then Pawan, who had scored a double hundred against Rajasthan, had already notched up his second century of the season. Even though Saurashtra bowlers managed to get rid of Satish, Pawan and Amit Verma (18) from the crease today, they found stubborn resistence from Chipli, who struck eight boundaries, and Binny. Trivedi (2/65) turned out to be the most successful bowler for Saurashtra. Brief Scores: Karnataka 1st innings (Overnight 107 for one): 369 for four in 105 overs (K B Pawan 118, Bharat Chipli 66 not out, Ganesh Satish 54; Siddharth Trivedi 2/65). PTI