Lucknow: The Ranji Trophy 2025-26 first semifinal between Uttarakhand and Karnataka at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium unfolded as a commanding exhibition of batting depth, tactical clarity, and bowling discipline. Played from February 15 to 18, 2026, the contest was effectively sealed by Day Four, with Karnataka amassing a staggering 802-run lead to underline their dominance.
Day 1: Rahul and Padikkal Take Charge
Uttarakhand captain Kunal Chandela won the toss and opted to field, hoping early conditions might assist his bowlers. But the Ekana surface proved placid and true. Mayank Agarwal departed early for 21, yet that was the only bright spot for Uttarakhand.
What followed was a masterclass. KL Rahul (141 off 211 balls, 15 fours, 1 six) combined elegance with control, while captain Devdutt Padikkal displayed compact authority. The pair stitched together a monumental 278-run stand for the second wicket, draining the bowlers of energy and belief. Karnataka closed Day One at a commanding 355/2, with Padikkal unbeaten on 148.
Day 2: Padikkal’s Double Century, Smaran’s Rise
If Day One set the tone, Day Two cemented Karnataka’s grip. Padikkal surged to a career-best 232 off 330 balls, laced with 29 boundaries and three sixes — his maiden first-class double hundred. Karun Nair added a fluent 60, keeping the tempo steady.
Emerging talent Ravichandran Smaran grew in confidence as the innings progressed, reaching an unbeaten 121 by stumps. Partnerships flowed seamlessly, and Uttarakhand’s attack — including Aditya Rawat and Mayank Mishra — found little assistance from the surface. Karnataka ended the day at 689/6, already beyond Uttarakhand’s reach.
Day 3: 736 and Counting
Karnataka pushed their total to 736 in 194.4 overs — their third-highest in Ranji history. Smaran completed a polished 135, while Vidyadhar Patil chipped in with a valuable 54 lower down the order. Extras (36, including a five-run penalty) reflected Uttarakhand’s mounting frustration.
In response, Uttarakhand faltered under sustained pressure. By stumps, they were 149/5, trailing by 587 runs. Lakshya Raichandani stood firm with an unbeaten 52 off 166 balls, but wickets fell at regular intervals to Vidyadhar Patil and Vijaykumar Vyshak, whose disciplined lines exposed technical frailties.
Day 4: The Final Surge to 802
Uttarakhand resumed at 149/5 and were dismissed for 233 in 88.5 overs, conceding a daunting 503-run deficit. Raichandani top-scored with 55, while Aditya Rawat showed grit with an unbeaten 45. Karnataka’s bowlers maintained relentless control — Patil (3/40), Vyshak (3/45), and Shreyas Gopal (2/41) sharing the spoils.
With a draw sufficient to advance, Karnataka could have shut shop. Instead, they batted again, reinforcing their superiority. Smaran capped a dream match with a second century — a fluent 127 off 148 balls. Rahul added a rapid 70 off 67 deliveries, and Kruthik Krishna struck a brisk 52. By stumps, Karnataka were 299/6 in 63.5 overs, stretching their lead to an imposing 802 runs.
A Complete Performance
The semifinal was a showcase of Karnataka’s depth: Padikkal (232), Rahul (141), Smaran (135 & 127) — centuries across both innings — underlined the gulf in class. Uttarakhand fought through Raichandani’s resilience, but lacked the firepower to counter Karnataka’s sustained excellence.
On a slow but true Ekana pitch, patience, skill, and experience triumphed. Brief scores: Karnataka 736 & 299/6 led Uttarakhand 233 by 802 runs. As they march into the final, Karnataka’s quest for another Ranji crown looks not just hopeful — but inevitable.
