KL Rahul played a classy knock for Karnataka in the 1st semi-final of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Three early blows put Karnataka in an uncanny state against Uttarakhand. Experienced batters like Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal, and Shreyas Gopal force the team to mull over the contest by departing cheaply.

Opener Kruthik Krishna played a much-needed anchor role to provide much-needed stability in their batting. Later, thanks to Smaran Ravichandran and KL Rahul, Karnataka took off for a comfortable flight. While Ravichandran departed for a fabulous 127-run knock, KL Rahul remained unbeaten for 86 off 103.

He came to bat at number 6, when the ball turned rough and spinners were thriving in the yard. For Team India, the right-handed batter often went to bat as a top-order batter in the recent past, though he proved his batting antics from various positions. For Karnataka, in the second innings when Smaran Ravichandran was looking for a proven partner, Rahul stepped in and delivered in style.

A timely, classic knock by KL Rahul

The 86-run knock was decorated with five 4s and five 6s. The run-wheel of KL Rahul is the proof of how he used the crease to drive the ball in every possible corner of the ground. Apart from taking the aerial route over the keeper's head, Rahul did everything, using his legs and weight accompanied by a cool, composed mind. Mayank Mishra and Suchith J, each of the Uttarakhand bowlers, conceded 19 runs against the batter.

BCCI, from their 'BCCI Domestic' social media page, shared a compilation of some of the best shots played by Rahul in the innings. In the second innings, Karnataka registered 323 to go with the first innings' 736. Uttarakhand needs 827 runs to win the contest, as they got only 233 in their first innings. 

Another classy knock 👌

Watch KL Rahul's stroke-filled 8⃣6⃣*(103) in the 2⃣nd innings against Uttarakhand 👏👏@IDFCFIRSTBank | #RanjiTrophy | @klrahul pic.twitter.com/FmyRPG4NNQ

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 19, 2026

Read More: 'Mahi bhai had told me that...' - Shivam Dube reflects upon MS Dhoni's impact after his match winning innings against Netherlands in T20 World Cup 2026