Rajkot, Oct. 15 -- Karun Nair and Devdutt Padikkal struck fluent half-centuries to guide Karnataka to a strong position on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Saurashtra here today .
After early setbacks with both openers Nikin Jose and skipper Mayank Agarwal dismissed cheaply for just 26 runs, Padikkal (96 off 141 balls, 11 fours) and Nair (73 off 126 balls, 9 fours) steadied the innings with a vital 146-run partnership for the third wicket.
Padikkal fell just four short of a century, bowled by left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who was the pick of Saurashtra's bowlers, finishing the day with 4 for 100.
Nair, returning to Karnataka after a stint with Vidarbha, showed composure and timing on both sides ...