Padikkal ton helps Karnataka crush TN; Bishnoi, Tendulkar make an impression
Highlights from round four of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26
Shashank Kishore
02-Dec-2025 • 1 hr ago
File photo: Devdutt Padikkal struck 102 for Karnataka • Getty Images
Padikkal century crushes TN
Devdutt Padikkal struck his fourth T20 century - an unbeaten 46-ball 102 - as Karnataka bounced back from two back-to-back losses to trounce Tamil Nadu by 145 runs. This is their second win in four matches that keeps their chances of making the Super Fours alive.
Sent in to bat, Karnataka raced to a 69-run opening stand between Mayank Agarwal and BR Sharath (53 off 23), before Padikkal took centrestage. He hit 10 fours and six sixes in his innings. The in-form R Smaran, who has made quite an impression so far this season, made 46 not out. TN captain Varun Chakravarthy conceded 47 off four wicketless overs.
TN's chase never got going; they were eventually bowled out for 100 in 14.2 overs with N Jagadeesan's 21 being the top score. B Sai Sudharsan managed just 8. Karnataka's legspinning duo of Shreyas Gopal and Pravin Dubey picked up three wickets apiece.
The result puts TN in the bottom half of Group D, with their domestic season going from bad to worse. After finishing the first half of the Ranji season winless and going through a coaching reshuffle for the white-ball leg, they've now managed just one win in four matches and are in danger of not progressing beyond the group stages.
Bishnoi, Tendulkar make an impression
Released by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2026, Ravi Bishnoi offered a timely reminder of his quality with a three-for in Gujarat's emphatic win over Puducherry. The result - their third in four games - keeps Gujarat well-placed for a Super Four berth. Bishnoi now has six wickets in four outings, at an economy of 7.62.
File photo: Ravi Bishnoi goes through his bowling drills•PTI
Choosing to bowl first, Gujarat skittled Puducherry for just 83 in 13.1 overs before cantering to the target in nine overs. Opener Aarya Desai sealed the chase with an unbeaten 53 off 30 balls. The defeat was Puducherry's second in four matches.
Freshly traded to LSG, Arjun Tendulkar starred in Goa's impressive win over a formidable Madhya Pradesh side. Tendulkar returned figures of 3 for 36, including the late wicket of Venkatesh Iyer for 5 to restrict MP to 170 for 6.
Goa then cruised through the chase, sealing victory with seven wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. Abhinav Tejrana's brisk 55 off 33 and Suyash Prabhudessai's composed, unbeaten 75 off 50 ensured there were no hiccups along the way.
Both MP and Goa have two wins in four games in Group B.
More to follow
Shashank Kishore is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo
