By Admin 
Seasoned opener Mayank Agarwal showcased patience and discipline, while veteran off-spinner Jalaj Saxena exhibited his craft in a fascinating duel that defined the Ranji Trophy Group B clash opening day between Karnataka and Maharashtra at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday.
Agarwal’s gritty 80 (181 b, 7×4, 2×6) anchored Karnataka’s innings before he fell to Saxena (3/80) late in the final session. Despite slipping to 194 for five, Abhinav Manohar and Shreyas Gopal steadied the visitors, guiding them to 257 for five at stumps.
After winning the toss, Agarwal and K.V. Aneesh gave Karnataka a composed start. Aneesh, the more fluent of the two, began by driving Rajneesh Gurbani through covers in the opening over.
Maharashtra’s Jalaj Saxena celebrates the wicket of Karnataka’s K.V. Aneesh on the first day of their Ranji Trophy at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
With Mukesh Choudhary struggling for rhythm, Maharashtra introduced spin early — and Saxena struck immediately. His very first delivery turned sharply into Aneesh, trapping him leg-before to break the 66-run stand.
Saxena produced a gem in his third over that breached K.L. Shrijith’s defence and rattled his stumps. Minutes later, pacer Ramakrishna Ghosh delivered a peach to dismiss Karun Nair, beating his inside edge with a delivery that seamed in to uproot off and middle.
Maharashtra’s Ramakrishna Ghosh in action on the first day of Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
At 89 for three, Karnataka needed stability. Agarwal found it in tall left-hander R. Smaran, and together they resisted Maharashtra’s attack with determination. Once the ball softened, Agarwal shifted gears, using his feet against the spinners and lofting Saxena over cow corner to bring up his half-century.
On the cusp of tea, Smaran’s resolute stay ended when he chipped Vicky Ostwal to Ankeet Bawane at short mid-wicket. After the interval, Saxena quickened his pace to unsettle Agarwal — and the ploy worked. A quicker one on middle turned sharply, with wicketkeeper Saurabh Nawale completing a neat stumping to end Agarwal’s fine innings.
Karnataka’s Smaran R plays a shot on the first day of the Ranji Trophy match against Maharashtra at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
The day ended evenly poised, with Karnataka’s lower middle-order holding firm against Maharashtra’s probing attack.
The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: K.V. Aneesh lbw b Saxena 34, Mayank Agarwal st Nawale b Saxena 80, K.L. Shrijith b Saxena 10, Karun Nair b Ghosh 4, R. Smaran c Bawane b Ostwal 54, Abhinav Manohar (batting) 31, Shreyas Gopal (batting) 32; Extras (lb-12): 12; Total (for five wkts. in 89 overs): 257.
Fall of wickets: 1-66, 2-82, 3-89, 4-188, 5-194.
Maharashtra bowling: Gurbani 14-2-38-0, Choudhary 8-1-44-0, Ostwal 24-8-50-1, Saxena 30-2-80-3, Ghosh 13-4-33-1.