Kerala face humiliation after Karun Nair, Smaran hit double centuries for Karnataka

Last season's Ranji Trophy runners-up Kerala face humiliation at home after being reduced to 21/3 in response to Karnataka's massive total of 586/5 (declared) on Day 2 at Mangalapuram in Thiruvananthapuram.

Vidwath Kaverappa dismissed Vaisakh Chandran (0) and nightwatchman Nidheesh M D (0) after Krishna Prasad 4) was removed by V Vyshak. Kerala will resume Day 3 with Akshay Chandran (6) and a second nightwatchman, Basil N P (11), trailing by 565 runs.

Karnataka dominated their generous hosts from the first ball. The stars of the day were Karun Nair and R Smaran, both making double centuries to torment the Kerala bowlers.

The visitors resumed at 319/3, with Karun and Smaran unbeaten on 142 and 88 respectively. Bengaluru-Malayali Karun made 233 off 389 deliveries, hitting 25 boundaries and two sixes, before being dismissed by pacer N P Basil. Smaran remained unbeaten on 220 off 390 deliveries.

Karnataka crossed 500 (502/4) in the 145th over. For Kerala, pacer Basil N P bagged 2/101, while Baba Aparajith, Vaisakh Chandran and Nidheesh M D claimed a wicket each. Four Kerala bowlers went for over 100 runs.

Kerala had conceded first-innings lead points in both their previous matches in the Ranji Trophy, against Maharashtra and Punjab.

Kerala finished as runners-up to Vidarbha in the final of the previous edition. Karun Nair had scored a half-century and a century in the final for Vidarbha. He opted to play for his home association, Karnataka, this season.

Brief scores: Karnataka 586/5 dec in 167 overs (Karun Nair 233, Smaran 220 not out, KL Shrijith 65, NP Basil 2/101) vs Kerala 21/3 in 10 overs (Vidwath Kaverappa 2/7). Stumps on Day 2