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KL Rahul's Century Powers Karnataka Into Ranji Trophy Semi-Finals

KL Rahul's brilliant century of 130 runs anchored Karnataka's successful chase of 325 runs, knocking out 42-time champions Mumbai from the Ranji Trophy. Supported by Smaran Ravichandran's unbeaten 83, Karnataka sealed a quarter-final victory to advance. In another historic result, Jammu & Kashmir reached their maiden Ranji Trophy semi-final, powered by Auqib Nabi's match figures of 12 for 110 against Madhya Pradesh. Karnataka will now face Uttarakhand, while J&K awaits the winner of the Andhra vs Bengal quarterfinal.

Key Points: KL Rahul's 130 Guides Karnataka to Ranji Trophy Semi-Final

  • KL Rahul's match-winning 130
  • Karnataka chase 325 vs Mumbai
  • Auqib Nabi's 12-wicket haul for J&K
  • J&K's historic maiden semi-final berth
  • Semi-finals: Karnataka vs Uttarakhand
2 min read

Ranji Trophy: KL Rahul's masterclass guides Karnataka to final four

KL Rahul's masterful 130 leads Karnataka to a historic chase against Mumbai, while Auqib Nabi's 12-fer sends J&K to their maiden Ranji semi-final.

"Rahul struck his 24th first-class hundred, scoring 130 from 182 deliveries, laced with 14 fours and a six, to anchor the chase. - Report"

New Delhi, February 9

India's star batter KL Rahul's outstanding 130 helped Karnataka to gun down a daunting 325-run target to knock 42-time champions Mumbai out in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final at the Sharad Pawar Academy in Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai, on Monday.

Rahul struck his 24th first-class hundred, scoring 130 from 182 deliveries, laced with 14 fours and a six, to anchor the chase.

Apart from Rahul, Smaran Ravichandran also provided vital support with his unbeaten 83 off 123 balls, including 11 fours, to seal the match for his side.

Vidyadhar Patil eventually struck the winning run, completing a significant victory for Karnataka. Karnataka will take on first-timers Uttarakhand in the semi-final beginning February 15.

In another fixture, Auqib Nabi's 12-fer guides Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to their maiden Ranji Trophy semi-final as they beat Madhya Pradesh (MP) in Indore by 56 runs on Monday.

Sixty-seven years after they first featured in the Ranji Trophy, and six years after they last made the knockouts, J&K scripted history by storming into their maiden semi-final.

Nabi returned staggering match figures of 12 for 110 to seal the epochal win. Nabi, the only seamer in the top-five wicket-takers' list this Ranji Trophy, took his season's tally to 46 wickets, second behind Uttarakhand's Mayank Mishra, who has 52.

Auqib followed up his stunning first-innings figures of 7/40 with another incisive spell of 5/70.

Chasing 291 MP were bundled out for 234 with Saransh Jain being the lone warrior for this side with the bat, scoring 64 off 81 balls, including seven fours and a six.

Jammu & Kashmir will now take on the winner of the quarterfinal between Andhra and Bengal.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The real story here is Jammu & Kashmir! What an incredible achievement. 67 years of waiting and they are finally in the semi-finals. Auqib Nabi's 12-wicket haul is just phenomenal. This is what domestic cricket is all about.
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Priya S
Beating Mumbai, the 42-time champions, is no small feat. Hats off to the entire Karnataka team. Smaran Ravichandran's supporting innings was crucial too. The Ranji Trophy is producing such exciting cricket this season!
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Rohit P
While KL's innings was brilliant, I hope the selectors are also looking at performers like Auqib Nabi and Mayank Mishra. We need to find and nurture these domestic stars. The depth in Indian cricket is amazing.
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Nikhil C
A respectful criticism: The article focuses a lot on the star player (rightly so), but I wish there was a bit more detail on the young talent like Smaran. These are the future heroes of Indian cricket. Still, a great win for Karnataka!
K
Kavya N
So happy for J&K! This is historic. It shows that cricket is truly thriving across all regions of India. Nabi's figures are unbelievable – 12/110 in a knockout match! Wishing both teams the best for the semi-finals. 🇮🇳

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