Ranji Trophy: Karnataka in control, eye final slot

Karnataka assume complete control of their Ranji Trophy semi-final against Punjab here on Tuesday, with Amit Verma and Karun Nair frustrating the home team.

Verma, playing his first match of the season, hammered an undefeated century while Karun, who had scored his hundred on Monday, steadily added more runs to the total.

Only 36.1 overs were possible on the day due to bad light and in that time, Karnataka took their score to 447 for five from their overnight total of 351 for five.

With an overall lead of 177 runs and just a day remaining, Karnataka are poised to enter the final. Maharashtra have already made the title clash with a ten-wicket win over Bengal in the other semi-final.

Karun, who was batting on 107 overnight, kept his concentration going despite the interruptions due to the bad light, reaching 151 not out. Verma, on the other hand, progressed from his overnight 65 to 114 not out as the Punjab bowlers toiled without reward on a murky day.

Brief scores: Punjab (I innings): 270 all out vs Karnataka 447/5 (R Uthappa 47, M Pandey 65, K Nair 151 batting, C M Gautam 48, A Verma 114 batting).