Spinners help Karnataka gain advantage against Assam in Ranji Trophy
Shikhar Shetty and Ritesh Bhatkal took five wickets each as Karnataka secured a 45-run first-innings lead on Monday.
Karnataka spinners Shikhar Shetty and Ritesh Bhatkal took all ten wickets to bowl Assam out for 135 on Monday during their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. According to Sportstar, the visitors reached 180 for two by the end of the opening day, securing a 45-run first-innings lead.
After Assam won the toss and elected to bat, Karnataka captain Shreyas Gopal introduced spin after the seventh over. Ritesh Bhatkal and Shikhar Shetty exploited a dry, grippy surface beneath the green grass to dismantle the Assam batting lineup.
Ritesh Bhatkal finished with figures of 5/35, while Shikhar Shetty claimed 5/53, marking Shetty's third five-wicket haul of the season. Assam's Sibsankar Roy scored 37 before falling at the stroke of Lunch, and Denish Das was dismissed shortly after the break.
In response, Karnataka openers Rohan Patil and Mayank Agarwal shared a 129-run partnership. Patil scored 89 runs off 42 balls before being caught at first slip off the bowling of Amlanjyoti Das.
Mayank Agarwal remained 57 not out at Stumps. Karnataka holds an eight-wicket advantage heading into day two of the encounter.