Captain Devdutt Padikkal led from the front with a scintillating performance, powering Karnataka into the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals. In their final Group B match against Punjab, Padikkal’s explosive 120 off just 85 balls guided his team to a five-wicket victory. This crucial win allowed Karnataka to finish with 27 points, securing their spot in the knockout stages alongside group leaders Madhya Pradesh, who had qualified a day earlier. Saurashtra, despite winning their final game, finished just one point behind Karnataka and was subsequently eliminated.
Karnataka storm into Ranji Trophy quarterfinal
The final day began with Karnataka’s bowling unit successfully wrapping up Punjab’s second innings for 256. Paceman Prasidh Krishna and seamer Shreyas Gopal were the primary architects of the collapse, claiming three wickets each to set the stage for the chase. Karnataka was left with a challenging task: chasing down 250 runs in a maximum of 40 overs—a target requiring a high scoring rate more typical of limited-overs cricket.
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The chase turned into a one-sided affair as Karnataka reached the target in a mere 27.5 overs. In his debut match as captain, Padikkal notched his eighth first-class century, an unbeaten knock featuring six boundaries and five sixes. He was well-supported by veteran opener Mayank Agarwal, who maintained the aggression with a rapid 53 off 36 balls. Together, the pair dismantled the Punjab attack, putting on 117 runs in just over 12 overs and putting immense pressure on bowlers like SS Bajwa, who conceded 85 runs in his spell.
Devdutt Padikkal's century sinks Punjab
The inexperience of Punjab's young captain, Uday Saharan, became a factor as the match slipped away. His field placements struggled to contain the opposition, and the Punjab bowling attack found no answer for Devdutt Padikkal’s relentless scoring. Padikkal's "juggernaut" performance put immense pressure on the tactical decisions of the young skipper, making it difficult for the fielding side to regain any control.
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The momentum continued even after the dismissals of former captain Mayank Agarwal and the talented R. Smaran. Padikkal found a reliable partner in the experienced Shreyas Gopal, who contributed a quick 33 off 22 balls. Together, they added 67 runs in just over seven overs, effectively sealing the result. By the time Gopal was eventually out, Padikkal had already ensured that the victory and quarterfinal qualification were well within reach.
Elsewhere in Group B, the remaining schedule concluded with a one-sided but inconsequential encounter. Kerala finished their campaign on a high note by defeating Goa by nine wickets. However, as neither team was in contention for the knockout spots.