: On a frustrating, rain-marred second day of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match between Karnataka and Goa, only 54.1 overs' play was possible, with the hosts making 371 first-innings runs and the visitors 28 for one in reply.

If the on-time start at 9.30 a.m. raised hopes of a full day's cricket, it proved deceptive at best as a heavy downpour 20 minutes before tea and another round of pitter-patter rain an hour later ushered in the close. With just two days left and more grey skies forecast, the contest will most likely be reduced to a battle for the first-innings lead.

But amidst the gloom and doom, Karun Nair stood tall, conjuring his 25th First Class ton (174 n.o., 267b, 14x4, 3x6) to hold Karnataka together. From an overnight score of 86, Karun reached his century in 163 balls, before turning expansive and getting his next 50 runs in only 74 balls.

Karun, in fact, lost his partner from day one, Shreyas Gopal, early in the morning for 57 (109b, 6x4, 1x6), and watched all-rounder Yashovardhan Parantap fall to a reckless heave that was snapped up at mid-off.

But in pacer V. Vyshak, he found an able ally, and the duo came together for a 60-run partnership. Vyshak (31, 53b, 4x4) even outscored his senior colleague, showcasing a few elegant shots square of the wicket on the off-side.

However, once he departed - leg-before to left-arm spinner Darshan Misal while trying a sweep - on the stroke of lunch, Karun took over the mantle with just the two tail-enders Abhilash Shetty and Vidwath Kaverappa for company.

In one Arjun Tendulkar over, he smashed 17 runs, including two sixes over square-leg and a boundary, to go past 150.

But some muddled thinking from Kaverappa, as he attempted a non-existent double to hand the strike back to Karun and ended up running himself out, brought the innings to a stuttering end.

The scores:

Karnataka -- 1st innings: Nikin Jose c Khutkar b Arjun 3, Mayank Agarwal c Kauthankar b Koushik 28, K.L. Shrijith c Dubhashi b Arjun 0, Karun Nair (not out) 174, R. Smaran c Tejrana b Koushik 3, Abhinav Manohar c Koushik b Arjun 37, Shreyas Gopal c Kauthankar b Vijesh 57, Yashovardhan Parantap c Vijesh b Koushik 14, V. Vyshak lbw b Misal 31, Abhilash Shetty c Tejrana b Misal 2, Vidwath Kaverappa run out 0; Extras: (b-5, lb-9, nb-6, w-2): 22; Total (in 110.1 overs): 371.

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-26, 3-47, 4-65, 5-128, 6-245, 7-271, 8-331, 9-342.

Goa bowling: Arjun 29-6-100-3, Koushik 27.1-11-35-3, Vijesh 20-3-86-1, Misal 18-0-74-2, Redkar 9-0-35-0, Suyash 4-0-8-0, Lalit Yadav 3-0-19-0.

Goa -- 1st innings: Manthan Khutkar c Shrijith b Abhilash 9, Suyash Prabhudessai (batting) 11, Abhinav Tejrana (batting) 8; Total (for one wkt. in 13 overs): 28.

Fall of wicket: 1-9.

Karnataka bowling: Kaverappa 6-1-11-0, Abhilash 5-2-9-1, Parantap 1-0-3-0, Vyshak 1-0-5-0.

Karun's big, unbeaten ton powers Karnataka on rain-affected day