A blend of youthful ambition and experienced composure was on full display as Devdutt Padikkal (96, 141b, 11×4) and Karun Nair (73, 126b, 9×4) combined for a crucial 146-run third-wicket stand to steer Karnataka to 295 for five at stumps on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Group B match against Saurashtra at the Niranjan Shah Stadium here on Wednesday.

After electing to bat on a bright and sunny morning, skipper Mayank Agarwal and his opening partner S. Nikin Jose soon found themselves under pressure, as Saurashtra’s pacers — captain Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya — bowled disciplined lines and the perfect lengths.

Sensing the batters’ eagerness to break free, Unadkat’s decision to introduce spin early paid off. Left-arm spinner Dharmendra Jadeja struck twice, removing both openers — Mayank in the 10th over and Nikin in the 14th — leaving Karnataka in a precarious position at 26 for two.

Padikkal and Karun adopted a patient approach to stabilise the innings. The duo rotated strike effectively and found the occasional boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking. Once they got their eye in, the pair began to score freely, consistently piercing the gaps and putting the pressure back on the home side.

Padikkal was especially severe on anything short, coming up with delicate cuts and powerful pulls, while Karun manoeuvered the strike smartly as both batters reached their half-centuries.

Against the run of play, Dharmendra Jadeja broke the partnership, trapping Karun plumb in front, before claiming his fourth wicket by castling Padikkal, who fell agonizingly short of his century.

K.L. Shrijith’s stay at the crease was short-lived but R. Smaran (66 batting, 120b, 4×4, 2×6) and Shreyas Gopal (38 batting, 69b, 2×4, 2×6) added 81 runs for the sixth wicket and took the visitors to 295 for five at close of play.

Scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: S. Nikin Jose c Ansh b Dharmendra Jadeja 12, Mayank Agarwal c Chetan b Dharmendra Jadeja 2, Devdutt Padikkal b Dharmendra Jadeja 96, Karun Nair lbw b Dharmendra Jadeja 73, R. Smaran 66 (batting), K.L. Shrijith c Harvik b Yuvrajsinh 5, Shreyas Gopal 38 (batting); Extras: (nb-1, b-1, lb-1): 3; Total for five wickets (in 90 overs): 295.

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-26, 3-172, 4-195, 5-214.

Saurashtra bowling: Unadkat 14-2-36-0, Chetan 12-3-21-0, Dharmendra 30-3-100-4, Chirag 3-1-5-0, Prerak 3-1-14-0, Yuvrajsinh 19-2-79-1, Samar 9-0-38-0