Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Rahul’s composed century guides Karnataka to semifinal berth

K.L. Rahul made optimum use of three reprieves to score a gritty century and guide Karnataka to the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy with a four-wicket win against Mumbai.

With a calm and composed Rahul (130, 182b, 14×1, 1×6) leading the batting unit and bringing up his 24th First-Class hundred, Karnataka survived a scare and eventually chased down the target of 325.

Knowing the conditions at the MCA-BKC Ground well, Mumbai took the field on Monday hoping for its spinners Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani to make an impact on the surface that offered some turn.

Even though Karnataka lost Karun Nair early on, reigniting some hopes for Mumbai, a calm and composed Rahul looked determined to guide the team home. And, he did it successfully, building a 147-run partnership with R. Smaran (83 not out, 123b, 11×4) for the fourth wicket.

Mumbai squandered an opportunity to dismiss Rahul, who was then batting on 75, as its slip fielders botched a regulation catch off a nippy Shardul Thakur delivery. The ball moved towards Yashasvi Jaiswal, stationed in first slip, only for Siddhesh Lad to dive in from the second slip and drop the catch to offer a lifeline to Rahul.

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There was no looking back from that point onwards. It was a measured innings by the India international, who barely celebrated the milestone, raising his bat only briefly before getting back to the job.

With Smaran playing shots and Rahul holding fort, it seemed a matter of time before Karnataka pocketed a victory. However, there was some drama in the post-lunch session as Rahul mistimed a one-handed hook off Tushar Deshpande and was caught at short third-man by Jaiswal. Deshpande tightened the noose further as a short ball saw Shreyas Gopal being caught behind.

Having lost three quick wickets, Karnataka was in a spot of bother, but Smaran and Vidyadhar Patil rebuilt with an unbroken 40-run stand. While Smaran held fort, Patil’s unbeaten 30-ball-31 run cameo saw Karnataka setting up a semifinal meeting against Uttarakhand.

Published on Feb 09, 2026