Ranji Trophy Semifinal Concludes with Umpiring Confusion as Karnataka Secures Final Berth
In a day where the outcome was largely a foregone conclusion, the Ranji Trophy semifinal between Karnataka and Uttarakhand at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow provided an unexpected twist. With Karnataka's place in the final already assured, the match seemed to end at tea on Thursday when captains Kunal Chandela and Karun Nair—standing in for the injured Devdutt Padikkal—shook hands, signaling what everyone believed was the conclusion.
Post-Tea Resumption Creates Baffling Scene
As presentation signage was rolled out and players began drifting toward the ceremony area, with one even heading to the dressing room to pack for the airport, umpires intervened. Citing rulebook technicalities, they ordered play to resume after tea, noting that an outright result for Karnataka was still technically possible with Uttarakhand six wickets down.
A visibly disgruntled Karnataka side returned to the field, but with the match long decided, Uttarakhand batsmen Abhay Negi (57 not out) and Saurabh Rawat (53 not out) treated the final session as batting practice, while the opposition wound down the clock. The match was finally called off less than an hour after tea, with Uttarakhand at 260/6 in their second innings.
Karnataka to Host Historic Final Against Jammu and Kashmir
Karnataka will now host first-time finalists Jammu and Kashmir at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium in Hubballi, marking the first time the northern Karnataka region will stage a Ranji Trophy final. Karnataka head coach Yere Goud expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, "We are playing the final after a long time. We've been working very hard for the last few years but couldn't quite make it. Playing at home makes it even more special."
Goud was quick to acknowledge the challenge posed by Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing, "They have done extremely well, beating MP and Bengal. A lot of credit should go to them. They are a very dangerous side. We need to play good cricket and focus on our processes—we'll have to play well to beat them."
Injury Concerns and Milestones for Karnataka
Karnataka skipper Devdutt Padikkal did not take the field on the final day after suffering a cut while fielding on Wednesday, which required five stitches on his right hand. However, Goud downplayed concerns over his availability for the final starting Tuesday, saying, "When I saw the cut, I was pretty sure he'll make it. He probably needs two to three days' rest and should be fine for the game."
The match also marked a personal milestone for leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal, who became the latest Karnataka bowler to reach 300 first-class wickets in his 97th appearance. The 32-year-old, the side's leading wicket-taker this season with 46 scalps, remarked, "It's a special feeling to reach the milestone in a semifinal, and it gives me a lot of confidence going into the final."
Match Summary and Karnataka's Focus
Earlier, Karnataka, resuming at 299/6 in their second innings, were bowled out for 323, with KL Rahul left unbeaten on 86 after running out of partners. Karnataka's focus now shifts to Hubballi and a chance to add a ninth Ranji Trophy title to their storied history.
Scoreboard Summary:
- Karnataka (1st innings): 736
- Uttarakhand (2nd innings): 233
- Karnataka (2nd innings): 323 all out (KL Rahul 86 not out)
- Uttarakhand (2nd innings): 260/6 (Abhay Negi 57 not out, Saurabh Rawat 53 not out)
