The Ranji Trophy Prasidh Krishna show took center stage on a dramatic opening day of the quarter-final encounters, as Karnataka delivered a commanding performance to seize early control against 41-time champions Mumbai. Across the country, other quarter-final matches also witnessed intense battles, standout individual efforts, and momentum swings that set the tone for a gripping knockout phase of India’s premier domestic red-ball tournament.
At the heart of Karnataka’s dominance was a devastating bowling display led by Prasidh Krishna, supported brilliantly by Vidwath Kaverappa and leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal. Their combined effort dismantled Mumbai’s famed batting line-up for a modest 120, before Mayank Agarwal’s calm, unbeaten half-century ensured Karnataka ended Day One firmly in the driver’s seat.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bengal also asserted themselves in their respective quarter-final fixtures, making it a compelling day of Ranji Trophy cricket marked by discipline, resilience, and tactical execution.
Karnataka vs Mumbai: Ranji Trophy Prasidh Krishna Leads a Ruthless Bowling Assault
Mumbai’s decision to bat first in their Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Karnataka quickly turned into a costly gamble. The pitch offered movement early, and Karnataka’s bowlers exploited it with precision and relentless pressure.
Early Collapse Shocks Mumbai
Mumbai’s innings never truly settled. Within the first 14 overs, the hosts found themselves reeling at 39 for 3, having lost key batters in quick succession. The dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Musheer Khan, and Siddhesh Lad exposed the fragility of Mumbai’s top order under sustained pressure.
Prasidh Krishna, known for his sharp bounce and ability to extract seam movement, set the tone with a hostile opening spell. Bowling with pace and control, he repeatedly tested the batters’ technique, forcing errors and edges.
Vidwath Kaverappa complemented him perfectly from the other end, maintaining a tight line while extracting movement off the surface. Together, they ensured Mumbai never gained any momentum.
Bowling Figures That Defined the Match
The bowling numbers reflected Karnataka’s dominance, with three bowlers sharing nine wickets between them.
Karnataka Bowling Performance – First Innings
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prasidh Krishna | 11 | 21 | 3 | 1.91 |
| Vidwath Kaverappa | 13 | 38 | 3 | 2.92 |
| Shreyas Gopal | 10.1 | 4 | 3 | 0.39 |
| Others | – | – | 1 | – |
Shreyas Gopal’s spell was particularly remarkable. The leg-spinner conceded just four runs while picking up three wickets, completely strangling Mumbai’s middle and lower order.
Akhil Herwadkar’s Lone Resistance
Amid the collapse, opener Akhil Herwadkar stood tall with a gritty knock of 60 from 138 deliveries. Displaying patience, sound defense, and selective shot-making, he carried his batters’ responsibility almost single-handedly.
However, Herwadkar found little support at the other end. Mumbai lost seven wickets for just 50 runs, underlining Karnataka’s ability to maintain pressure throughout the innings.
Mumbai were eventually bowled out for 120 in 48.1 overs—a total far below expectations in a knockout fixture.
Karnataka’s Reply: Mayank Agarwal Anchors the Innings
In response, Karnataka approached their chase with confidence and clarity. Openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal provided a positive start, racing to 33 without loss inside the first five overs.
Rahul played the role of aggressor, scoring freely and putting Mumbai’s bowlers under immediate pressure. His 28 off 26 balls included a flurry of boundaries, particularly against Mumbai skipper Shardul Thakur.
Although Rahul departed soon after, Mayank Agarwal ensured stability. The former India Test opener showcased his experience with a composed unbeaten 54 off 81 balls, striking the right balance between caution and intent.
Karnataka Batting at Stumps
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayank Agarwal | 54 | 81 | Not out |
| KL Rahul | 28 | 26 | Out |
| Others | – | – | – |
At the end of Day One, Karnataka reached 110 for 2 in 26 overs, trailing Mumbai by just 10 runs and holding nine wickets in hand—an almost ideal position in a quarter-final.
MP vs Jammu & Kashmir: Kuldeep Sen Tears Through J&K Line-Up
In another quarter-final, former champions Madhya Pradesh stamped their authority early against Jammu & Kashmir, thanks to a fiery spell from pace spearhead Kuldeep Sen.
The 29-year-old fast bowler delivered a match-defining performance, claiming his fourth career five-wicket haul and dismantling J&K’s top order.
Kuldeep Sen’s Impact Spell
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuldeep Sen | 17 | 66 | 5 |
| Kumar Kartikeya | 16 | 26 | 3 |
| Aryan Pandey | 12 | 27 | 2 |
Sen struck early, removing opener Yawer Hassan and one-down batter Shubham Pundir in successive overs, reducing J&K to 30 for 2. Left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya then tightened the screws through the middle overs, denying the batters any scoring freedom.
Shubham Khajuria’s Gritty Fifty Goes in Vain
Shubham Khajuria offered resistance with a disciplined 60 off 140 balls, anchoring the innings during a slow rebuild. Alongside skipper Paras Dogra, he added 79 runs for the third wicket, guiding J&K past the 100-run mark.
However, once Khajuria was dismissed, the innings unraveled rapidly. J&K slid from 100-plus to 136 for 8, eventually being dismissed for 194 in 67 overs.
Madhya Pradesh ended the day at 28 without loss, already erasing a portion of the deficit.
Jharkhand vs Uttarakhand: Aditya Singh’s Resolve Rescues Hosts
Jharkhand found themselves in serious trouble early in their quarter-final against Uttarakhand, as the visitors’ new-ball bowlers exploited helpful conditions to full effect.
Janmejay Joshi and Aditya Rawat struck repeatedly, reducing Jharkhand to 80 for 5 and threatening a complete collapse.
Uttarakhand Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janmejay Joshi | 18 | 46 | 4 |
| Aditya Rawat | 15 | 39 | 3 |
| Mayank Mishra | 20 | 50 | 3 |
With the pressure mounting, Aditya Singh stepped up with a determined innings of 83 off 167 balls. Supported by captain Virat Singh’s 47, he stitched together a vital 90-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Their efforts lifted Jharkhand to a respectable 235, ensuring the hosts remained competitive in the contest.
Bengal vs Andhra: Mukesh Kumar Keeps Contest Evenly Poised
The quarter-final between Bengal and Andhra saw a well-balanced day of cricket, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage.
Andhra ended the day on 264 for 6, but Bengal’s pace trio—Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Shami—ensured regular breakthroughs.
Mukesh Kumar was the standout, finishing with figures of 3 for 50. He dismissed key batters including Srikar Bharat, Shaik Rasheed, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, preventing Andhra from building a commanding total.
Andhra Batting Highlights
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Ricky Bhui | 83 | – |
| Srikar Bharat | 47 | – |
| Shaik Rasheed | 46 | – |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 33 | – |
Late wickets under fading light helped Bengal regain momentum heading into Day Two.
Why Ranji Trophy Prasidh Krishna Performance Matters
The Ranji Trophy Prasidh Krishna display against Mumbai is more than just a strong domestic performance—it reinforces his value as a red-ball bowler capable of leading an attack in high-pressure situations.
With his ability to generate bounce, maintain discipline, and strike early, Prasidh Krishna continues to strengthen his case as one of India’s most reliable fast-bowling options across formats.
For Karnataka, his spell has laid the foundation for a potential semi-final berth, while Mumbai face an uphill task to recover from a deficit against a confident and well-balanced opposition.
Brief Scores Summary
Quarter-Final Matches – Day One
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| Mumbai vs Karnataka | Mumbai 120 all out; Karnataka 110/2 |
| J&K vs Madhya Pradesh | J&K 194 all out; MP 28/0 |
| Jharkhand vs Uttarakhand | Jharkhand 235 all out; Uttarakhand 4/0 |
| Andhra vs Bengal | Andhra 264/6 |
Also read: Karnataka vs Punjab Ranji Trophy: Hosts Hold Upper Hand as Karnataka Trail by 54 Runs on Day 2
Conclusion: Quarter-Finals Set for High Drama
The opening day of the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals delivered everything expected from knockout cricket—intensity, standout performances, and shifting momentum.
At the forefront was Ranji Trophy Prasidh Krishna, whose spell against Mumbai may well be remembered as one of the defining moments of this season’s tournament.
As the matches progress, the pressure will only increase, and with several teams evenly poised, the road to the semi-finals promises drama, resilience, and top-quality domestic cricket.
