Devdutt Padikkal scored a hundred in the Ranji Trophy semis. Courtesy: PTI
Incredible Padikkal’s Ranji century lift hand for test no-3
Ranji Trophy 2025-26: On the first day at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, Karnataka amassed a resounding 355 for two at stumps thanks to 148 off 236 balls from Incredible Padikkal’s Ranji century against Uttarakhand.
Karnataka had a resounding first day in their Ranji Trophy semifinal match against Uttarakhand at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, thanks to centuries from captain Incredible Padikkal’s Ranji century (147*) and KL Rahul (141). On the strength of a 278-run partnership for the second wicket, the eight-time champions amassed an enormous 355/2 after being asked to bat first.
During the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Uttarakhand in Lucknow, Incredible Padikkal’s Ranji century, securing India’s No. 3 Test seed. Arriving at number three on the first day, Padikkal hit his fifty off sixty-five balls and went on to score 148 from 236 deliveries, hitting 16 fours and two sixes, to stay undefeated. He and KL Rahul formed an incredible 298-run partnership for the second wicket, which gave Karnataka total command.
In first-class cricket, Incredible Padikkal’s Ranji century, who was once an opener, has been batting at number three more often for Karnataka. His capacity to sustain lengthy innings has made him a serious candidate for the middle order in India’s Test matches. He has an outstanding domestic record with almost 3,000 first-class runs at an average of over 40 and nine hundreds.
He scored 90 runs in three innings during his two Test matches for India internationally, including a career-high 65 against England at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala in 2024. He has amassed 25 runs from two innings at an average of 12.50 while playing for India at number three.
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RAHUL IS AMAZING IN LUCKNOW
Rahul scored 141 runs off 211 balls in a dominant innings for Karnataka in the semifinals as well. He displayed patience and control as he completed his fifty off 86 deliveries and reached his century off 150 balls. Rahul led the innings with Padikkal, hitting 11 fours and five sixes. Right-arm pacer Aditya Rawat eventually caught him and bowled him.
As Karnataka ended Day 1 at 355 for two, Karun Nair remained undefeated at 37 despite Padikkal and Rahul’s outstanding innings. Padikkal and Rahul seized over after Aditya Rawat dismissed Mayank Agarwal early. They used a combination of poise and fluidity to keep Uttarakhand’s bowlers under pressure and guarantee Karnataka’s dominant
Both Padikkal and Rahul hit centuries. © Getty
Brief Scores (Stumps – Day 1)
Karnataka: 355/2 in 90 overs. Devdutt Padikkal (148*), KL Rahul (141); Aditya Rawat (2/73)
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