Chipli's century helps Karnataka stay afloat

In the first two sessions, the Karnataka bowlers pegged back TN with regular strikes, and even reduced them to 158 for seven to raise visions of gaining a first-innings lead. But TN, replying to Karnataka’s 221, fought it out to reach 276 before being bowled out at the end of the 79th over for a lead of 55 runs.

Chipli (100 n.o., 112m, 70b, 7x4, 5x6) and fellow opener KB Pawan (61, 100m, 71b, 4x4) shared a brilliant stand of 167 as Karnataka reached 178 for one in 24 overs, ahead by 123 runs. With 16 overs remaining in their second innings on the third and final day, Karnataka will be hoping to add some more runs to put pressure on TN. First-innings centurion and skipper Ganesh Satish (4 n.o.) was giving Chipli company at stumps.

Earlier, the TN innings witnessed some sporadic sprouts of fightback through Vijay Shankar (63), R Srinivasan (32), and Y Sunny Kumar Singh (54), and they were enough for TN to grab a small but handy lead. All-rounder Stuart Binny (2/43) and occasional leg-spinner Amit Verma (2/22) led Karnataka’s bowling.

Brief scores: At Gymkhana grounds: Karnataka: 221 and 178/1 in 24 overs (Bharath Chipli 100 n.o., KB Pawan 61) vs Tamil Nadu: 276 all out in 79 overs (Vijay Shanker 63, R Srinivasan 32, Y Sunny Kumar Singh 54; Stuart Binny 2-43, Amit Verma 2-22).

At RGICS: HCA Colts 217 all out in 82.4 overs vs HCA XI: 389/4 in 90 overs (Akshath Reddy 73, B Sandeep 106, Ibrahim Khaleel 113 n.o., Amol Shinde 76 n.o.).