Ranji Trophy: R Smaran smashes second double ton

Bengaluru: Fast-rising young batter R Smaran smashed his second double century of the season as heavyweights Karnataka tightened the noose on bottom-dwellers Chandigarh in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B fixture in Hubballi on Monday.

The 22-year-old Smaran, playing in his sophomore season and determined to make a name for himself in a transitioning Karnataka side, cracked an unbeaten 227 off 362 balls (16x4, 2x6) that powered the hosts to a massive 547/8 declared in 160 overs at the KSCA Stadium.

Following Smaran’s heroics, veteran spinner Shreyas Gopal, who too has been in irresistible form this season, scalped 3/18 in 4.4 overs to reduce the visitors to 72/4 in 17.4 overs.

Resuming on a personal score of 110 and the team on 298/5, Smaran held the key between a massive score and a competitive one for Karnataka. Thankfully for him and Karnataka, all-rounder Shreyas gave him good support with a measured 62 off 147 balls as the hosts got the perfect start to the proceedings. Both Shreyas and Smaran were cautious at the start of the day as the early winter weather made for nippy conditions. But once both got their eyes in, they started to play their shots to up the tempo.

Right when their 141-run partnership was moving along nicely, Shreyas was trapped out by Vishu Kashyap. The dismissal though didn’t stall Smaran’s momentum as he took the attack on Chandigarh in blistering fashion. He first forged a 76-run stand for the seventh wicket with Vidyadhar Patil (30) before knocking the stuffing out of Chandigarh with a 111-run stand for the eighth wicket with Shikhar Shetty, the latter scoring 59 off 122 balls.