Rahul, Kunal smash double hundreds

Overn-ight batsmen KL Rahul and Kunal Kapoor brought up their double hundreds as Karnataka declared their first innings closed at 488/3 on the penultimate day of their four-day Elite Group ‘A’ tie against Gujarat in the C K Nayudu Trophy at the JIRS on Sunday.

Opener Rahul, who was unbeaten on 94 on the opening day and spent a frustrating Saturday with rain denying any action on the second day, was out after scoring 213 that came off 317 balls with the help of 24 fours and six sixes. His partner Kapoor, overnight 58, wasn’t to be left behind as the youngster notched up an unbeaten 202 in just 252 deliveries while hitting 24 fours and a six.

With an entire day lost in the match, the Karnataka batsmen showed the much-needed urgency to give themselves a chance of at least eking out a first-innings lead.

While Rahul had consumed 164 deliveries to bring up his 94 on the first day, the right-hander needed just 153 balls to add another 119 runs on the day. Kapoor was equally impressive as he rattled off 144 runs in a matter of 155 balls on the third day.

He had faced 97 deliveries for his 58 on the opening day. Gujarat were 16 for no loss in their reply at close of play. Brief scores: Karnataka: 488/3 decl in 109.4 overs (K L Rahul 213, Kunal Kapoor 202 n.o., R Samarth 30 n.o.) vs Gujarat: 16/0 in 7 overs.