Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Aneesh and Aneeshwar put Karnataka in complete control

Regal knock: Aneesh’s maiden First Class century was full of class. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO: SUDHAKARA JAIN After the tweakers spun a web around Assam’s batters on day one, Karnataka’s two ‘Aneeshs’— K.V. Aneesh and Aneeshwar Gautam – stole the limelight on day two in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match at the ACA Stadium here on Tuesday.Aneesh’s maiden First Class century (142 batting, 248b, 10x4, 2x6) and Aneeshwar’s 83 (125b, 9x4, 3x6) guided Karnataka from its overnight score of 180 for two to 496 for five at stumps.It was a pretty lukewarm first half hour as Mayank Agarwal and Aneesh easily negotiated Mohit Thakur’s spin from one end and Mukhtar Hussain’s pace from the other.The brief period of lull soon gave way to Assam’s first wicket of the day as Mayank fell for 72 (121b, 10x4) to a rash shot in the 43rd over.Mayank’s dismissal brought in Karun Nair, but the veteran was trapped lbw for 21 by Roshan Alam, bringing his short stay at the crease to an end.Aneesh, unperturbed by the dismissal, used the pull to collect two maximums before reaching his fifty with an exquisite cover drive in the 56th over.Aneeshwar was no less enterprising, signalling his intent with twin sixes off Roshan in the 59th.The conditions turned more spin-friendly post lunch, but Aneesh and Aneeshwar persevered, albeit taking the defensive route.Aneeshwar reached his fifty with a backfoot punch through covers post lunch, before Aneesh had his moment under the sun when he celebrated his century in the 92nd over.Aneeshwar fell in the first over after tea but Manvanth Kumar showed why his hundred against Saurashtra wasn’t a one-off with a quickfire unbeaten fifty (53 batting, 63b, 5x4, 2x6).Assam taking the second new ball in the 101st over did little to stall Karnataka’s momentum as it finished the day 361 runs ahead.The scores: Assam — 1st innings: 135.Karnataka — 1st innings: Rohan Patil c Sibsankar b Amlanjyoti 89, Mayank Agarwal c Denish b Mohit 72, K.L. Shrijith lbw b Amlanjyoti 19, K.V. Aneesh (batting) 142, Karun Nair lbw b Roshan, Aneeshwar Gautam lbw b Roshan 83, Manvanth Kumar (batting) 53; Extras (b-6, lb-7, nb-3, w-1): 17; Total (for five wkts. in 117 overs): 496.Fall of wickets: 1-129, 2-157, 3-207, 4-253, 5-401.Assam bowling: Mukhtar 13-1-52-0, Mohit 25-3-92-1, Amlanjyoti 34-4-121-2, Hridip 10-0-58-0, Sarupam 3-0-19-0, Roshan 27-3-126-2, Denish 5-0-15-0. Published - November 03, 2026 06:31 pm IST