Centuries from Aparajith, Karthik in Tamil Nadu`s huge score

Chennai: Young batsman Baba Aparajith scored his maiden first class hundred before skipper Dinesh Karthik hit a composed 154 as Tamil Nadu piled up a huge 538 for four against Karnataka on day two of their Ranji Trophy Group B match, here on Saturday.

The hosts, who resumed at 260 for two, declared the innings in the final session of the day and in response to the huge 500-plus total, Karnataka were 26 for no loss as they safely negotiated the 10 overs. Robin Uthappa (18) and KB Pawan (5) will resume the visitors` first innings on Sunday. The 18-year-old Aparajith, the find of India`s Under-19 World Cup triumph, resumed at his overnight score of 85 and went on to score 112 off 255 balls. His overnight partner S Badrinath scored 72 before being caught by KB Pawan off Sunil Raju in the 13th over of the day. Aparajith also departed soon as he was stumped off left-arm spinner K P Apanna. Skipper Karthik and Ramaswamy Prasanna then continued the hosts` batting feast as the two rattled an unbeaten 200-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Karthik`s knock came off just 182 balls and had 18 boundaries, including four sixes. Left-handed Prasanna supported his skipper well with his 72-run knock. He hit five boundaries including one shot over the fence in his long vigil at the crease. Brief Scores: Tamil Nadu 1st innings: 538 for four in 168 overs. (D Karthik 154 not out, B Aparajith 112; S Raju 2/148). Karnataka 1st innings: 26 for no loss in 10 overs. (Robin Uthappa 18 batting). PTI