KL Rahul produced an impressive century to guide Karnataka to a memorable four-wicket win over 42-time champions Mumbai to book their place in the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy on Monday. Chasing a challenging target of 325 in the quarter-final at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Bandra Kurla Complex, Karnataka banked on Rahul’s class and composure. The Indian batsman hit his 24th first-class hundred, scoring 130 off 182 deliveries, with 14 fours and a six to anchor the chase.
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Rahul found strong support in Ravichandran Smaran, and the pair put together a crucial 147-run partnership for the fourth wicket on the penultimate day of the match. Their stand took Karnataka into a position of control, with the visitors reaching 265 for three at the lunch interval. Rahul’s innings ended shortly after the interval when he was dismissed by Tushar Deshpande, briefly reviving Mumbai’s hopes. Deshpande and Tanush Kotian then claimed two more wickets to reduce Karnataka to 285 for six, still 40 runs from victory. However, Smaran kept his nerves under pressure. The 22-year-old remained unbeaten on a composed 83 off 123 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and seeing Karnataka to the finish line. Vidyadhar Patil eventually hit the winning run to complete a momentous victory for the eight-time champions. The 33-year-old Rahul celebrated his century without fanfare, picking up the bat briefly before refocusing. He reached the landmark by heading Kotiana through the offside for four. Since joining Karnataka late in the group stage, Rahul’s presence has proved vital, following a first innings fifty against Punjab earlier in the tournament. Karnataka will now face Uttarakhand in the semi-final in Bengaluru next week.
