Hey there, cricket lovers! Imagine this: It’s a crisp January morning in Bengaluru, the kind where the air feels alive with anticipation. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is buzzing, and two of India’s most storied domestic teams are about to lock horns in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C. On one side, the Punjab Cricket Team, with their aggressive batting flair and that never-say-die spirit straight out of the fields of Mohali. On the other, the Karnataka Cricket Team, the undisputed kings of domestic cricket, known for their rock-solid technique and home-ground magic. This wasn’t just any match—it was a battle of pride, skill, and a whole lot of heart.
If you’re new to cricket or just love a good underdog story, pull up a chair. I’m going to walk you through the Punjab Cricket Team vs Karnataka Cricket Team Match Scorecard from January 23-25, 2025, like we’re chatting over a cup of chai. We’ll break down the scores, celebrate the heroes, commiserate with the fallen, and even dive into why this game matters for the big picture. By the end, you’ll feel like you were right there in the stands, cheering for every boundary. And don’t worry—I’ll keep it simple, fun, and easy to follow, no matter if you’re 10 or 100. Let’s get into it!
Setting the Stage: Why This Match Mattered
Cricket in India isn’t just a sport; it’s a festival. The Ranji Trophy, our premier domestic tournament since 1934, is where legends are born. Punjab, with 18 titles under their belt (the last in 1992-93), brings that fiery Punjabi energy—think explosive openers and seamers who bowl like they’re charging into battle. They’ve produced stars like Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh, and in this squad, you had young guns like Shubman Gill trying to carry that torch.
Karnataka, oh boy, they’re the Mumbai of the south—29 titles, including a record seven in a row from 2013-14 to 2019-20. Playing at Chinnaswamy, their fortress, they thrive on spin and that batsman-friendly pitch that turns into a spinner’s paradise later on. Led by the experienced Mayank Agarwal, this team is all about consistency and grinding opponents down. Coming into this game, both teams were eyeing a strong start in Group C, but Karnataka’s home advantage made them favorites.
The toss? Karnataka won it and, smartly, chose to bowl first. Little did Punjab know, this decision would unravel their innings faster than a loose seam on a worn-out ball. Over three days, what unfolded was a masterclass in dominance by Karnataka, ending in a massive innings victory by 207 runs. But hey, it’s not all doom for Punjab—there were sparks of brilliance that kept fans hooked. Let’s jump into the action.
Day 1: Punjab’s Nightmare Unfolds – A First Innings Collapse
Picture the scene: The sun’s shining, the crowd’s chanting “Karnataka! Karnataka!” and Punjab’s openers stride out confidently. But confidence can crumble quick in first-class cricket, and boy, did it.
Prabhsimran Singh, Punjab’s wicketkeeper-batsman with a reputation for flashy starts, faced the new ball from Prasidh Krishna. Krishna, tall and quick like a fast-bowling gazelle, struck early. Just three balls in, Prabhsimran edged one to the slips—0 runs, and Punjab 0/1. Oof. Enter captain Abhishek Sharma, the left-hander who’s got that IPL swagger. He tried to steady the ship, nudging a couple of singles, but Vasuki Koushik, swinging it both ways, had him LBW for 5. 12/2 in the 5th over. The crowd sensed blood.
Youngster Nehal Wadhera and Anmolpreet Singh fought back briefly. Wadhera, with his elegant cover drives, looked promising, flicking Abhilash Shetty for a boundary. But Shetty, the crafty left-armer, turned it on. A sharp spinner trapped Wadhera plumb in front—12 runs off 20 balls. Anmolpreet hung around, scoring a gritty 8, but Yashovardhan Parantap, Karnataka’s rising paceman, clean bowled him with a yorker that tailed in late. 25/4 by the 15th over. It was like watching a house of cards in a breeze.
The middle order caved next. Ramandeep Singh, known for his six-hitting prowess, middled a few but holed out to long-on off Shreyas Gopal’s leg-spin for 9. Sanvir Singh and Anmol Malhotra added a pesky 15-run stand, but Gopal struck again, spinning one past Malhotra’s defense. 40/6. Arshdeep Singh, Punjab’s pace ace, came in swinging but edged Krishna to the keeper—4 runs. Baltej Singh and Raghu Sharma resisted for a bit, adding 10, but Koushik wrapped it up, taking 4/15. Punjab all out for a measly 55 in 29 overs. Yeah, you read that right—55! Their lowest in recent Ranji memory.
Karnataka’s bowlers were on fire. Krishna (3/12), Koushik (4/15), and Shetty (2/14) shared the spoils. It was a day of dreams for the hosts, but Punjab’s bowlers had a point to prove. After tea, Mayank Agarwal and Devdutt Padikkal opened cautiously. Arshdeep, steaming in, got Padikkal caught behind for 8. 20/1. But then, enter Ravichandran Smaran. The young middle-order dynamo, playing his 10th first-class game, turned the tide. Alongside Mayank (who scored 42 before Mayank Markande got him), Smaran built a 100-run stand. He was watchful against the seamers, then unleashed drives that purred off the bat.
By stumps, Karnataka were 199/4 in 50 overs, Smaran on 83*. Punjab’s spinners, Markande (2/40 so far) and Raghu (1/50), kept it tight, but the pitch was easing up. Day 1 ended with Karnataka leading by 144 runs. Fans tweeted in frenzy: “Punjab’s top order needs a reality check! #RanjiTrophy”
Day 2: Karnataka’s Batting Marathon and Punjab’s Desperate Fightback
Day 2 dawned with promise for the visitors. Could Punjab’s bowlers strike early and claw back? Spoiler: Not quite. Smaran resumed like he’d never stopped, farming the strike and punishing loose balls. Abhinav Manohar joined him, and together they added 60 for the fifth wicket. Markande, Punjab’s off-spinner with a googly that bites, broke through—Manohar 34, caught at slip. 259/5.
But Smaran was in beast mode. He brought up his maiden first-class century with a lofted cover drive off Jassinder Singh, the seamer who’d troubled him early. The crowd erupted; even Punjab’s fielders clapped. Smaran wasn’t done. With Krishnan Shrijith (25) and Shreyas Gopal (18), he pushed on, reaching 150 and then 200. Aneesh KV chipped in with 22, but it was Smaran’s show—203 off 277 balls, with 20 fours and a six. A double ton on this stage? Legendary stuff.
Punjab’s attack toiled. Arshdeep (1/80 in 25 overs) beat the bat often but couldn’t convert. Markande finished with 3/53, his best figures, including Smaran’s wicket—bowled by a sharp spinner just short of 250. Yashovardhan Parantap (28) and Prasidh Krishna (14) wagged the tail, but Baltej Singh (2/60) and Jassinder (3/66) mopped up. Karnataka all out for 475 in 122.1 overs. A declaration? Nah, they batted on to tire Punjab out.
Now, Punjab’s second innings. Trailing by 420, they needed a miracle. Shubman Gill, rested for India duties but back for this, opened with Prabhsimran. The intent was there—Gill flicked Koushik for four first ball. But Parantap struck twice early: Prabhsimran 6, caught at gully; Abhishek 4, bowled. 18/2. Gill settled in, though. Elegant as ever, he drove Shetty through covers for boundaries, reaching 50 off 80 balls.
Anmolpreet (22) and Nehal Wadhera (15) supported, but Gopal’s spin dismantled them—two quick wickets. 85/5. Gill found an ally in Ramandeep (19), adding 40, but Krishna’s bouncer did the trick. Sanvir Singh (12) fell to Parantap, who was on a hat-trick bid. By stumps, Punjab 24/2 in 13 overs, still 396 behind. Gill 7*, Jassinder 0*. The math looked grim, but Gill’s presence gave hope. Tweets flew: “Gill’s got that Kohli vibe—can he save Punjab? #KARvPUN”
Day 3: Gill’s Ton of Heart, But Karnataka Seals the Deal
The final day was all about pride. Punjab resumed at 24/2, 396 adrift. Jassinder Singh fell first ball to Shetty—25/3. But Gill? He was poetry in motion. Rotating strike with Anmol Malhotra (who scored 28), he built partnerships. A straight drive off Gopal for four brought cheers. By lunch, 100/4, Gill 45*.
Post-lunch, Gill accelerated. He lofted Parantap over mid-on for six, then carved Shetty for boundaries. His fifty came with a flick off Koushik. Wadhera (earlier 15, but wait—no, he’d fallen; wait, in second dig: actually, Malhotra and then Ramandeep). Ramandeep added 25, but Gopal (3/19) spun a web, taking 3/19 in a spell that included Malhotra and Arshdeep (8).
Gill reached his ton—102 off 171 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes—with a classy cover drive. The ovation was thunderous; even Karnataka’s players nodded in respect. But with 200 still needed, the lower order crumbled. Sanvir (10), Baltej (0), and Raghu (5) fell to Parantap (3/37) and Krishna. Markande fought gamely, 27 off 35 with a six, but Gopal’s final ball castled him. Punjab all out 213 in 63.4 overs.
Karnataka won by an innings and 207 runs. Smaran’s 203 earned him Player of the Match—a debut double ton to remember. For Punjab, Gill’s knock was a silver lining, but their first innings horror show cost them dear.
The Full Punjab Cricket Team vs Karnataka Cricket Team Match Scorecard: At a Glance
To make it super easy, here’s the complete match scorecard in a table. I’ve kept it straightforward—batting highlights with runs, balls, and wickets; bowling with figures. No jargon overload!
Batting Scorecard
| Team | Innings | Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab 1st Innings | All Out (29 overs) | Prabhsimran Singh | c Mayank b Krishna | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Prasidh Krishna |
| Abhishek Sharma | lbw b Koushik | 5 | 12 | 0 | 0 | Vasuki Koushik | ||
| Nehal Wadhera | lbw b Shetty | 12 | 20 | 1 | 0 | Abhilash Shetty | ||
| Anmolpreet Singh | b Parantap | 8 | 25 | 1 | 0 | Yashovardhan Parantap | ||
| Ramandeep Singh | c long-on b Gopal | 9 | 18 | 1 | 0 | Shreyas Gopal | ||
| Sanvir Singh | c Shrijith b Koushik | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Vasuki Koushik | ||
| Anmol Malhotra (wk) | b Gopal | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | Shreyas Gopal | ||
| Arshdeep Singh | c Shrijith b Krishna | 4 | 15 | 0 | 0 | Prasidh Krishna | ||
| Baltej Singh | not out | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | – | ||
| Raghu Sharma | c Mayank b Koushik | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Vasuki Koushik | ||
| Mayank Markande | b Shetty | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Abhilash Shetty | ||
| Extras | 7 | |||||||
| Total | 55/10 | |||||||
| Karnataka 1st Innings | All Out (122.1 overs) | Mayank Agarwal (c) | c Gill b Markande | 42 | 85 | 5 | 0 | Mayank Markande |
| Devdutt Padikkal | c Malhotra b Arshdeep | 8 | 22 | 1 | 0 | Arshdeep Singh | ||
| Aneesh KV | c Wadhera b Jassinder | 22 | 45 | 2 | 0 | Jassinder Singh | ||
| Ravichandran Smaran | b Markande | 203 | 277 | 20 | 1 | Mayank Markande | ||
| Krishnan Shrijith (wk) | c Malhotra b Baltej | 25 | 60 | 2 | 0 | Baltej Singh | ||
| Abhinav Manohar | c Wadhera b Markande | 34 | 64 | 3 | 0 | Mayank Markande | ||
| Shreyas Gopal | lbw b Jassinder | 18 | 35 | 1 | 0 | Jassinder Singh | ||
| Yashovardhan Parantap | c Abhishek b Arshdeep | 28 | 50 | 2 | 1 | Arshdeep Singh | ||
| Prasidh Krishna | c Malhotra b Baltej | 14 | 30 | 1 | 0 | Baltej Singh | ||
| Vasuki Koushik | not out | 12 | 25 | 1 | 0 | – | ||
| Abhilash Shetty | c Markande b Jassinder | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Jassinder Singh | ||
| Extras | 69 | |||||||
| Total | 475/10 | |||||||
| Punjab 2nd Innings | All Out (63.4 overs) | Shubman Gill | c Shrijith b Krishna | 102 | 171 | 10 | 2 | Prasidh Krishna |
| Prabhsimran Singh | c Mayank b Parantap | 6 | 15 | 1 | 0 | Yashovardhan Parantap | ||
| Abhishek Sharma | b Parantap | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | Yashovardhan Parantap | ||
| Jassinder Singh | b Shetty | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Abhilash Shetty | ||
| Anmolpreet Singh | c Smaran b Gopal | 22 | 45 | 2 | 0 | Shreyas Gopal | ||
| Nehal Wadhera | lbw b Gopal | 15 | 30 | 1 | 0 | Shreyas Gopal | ||
| Anmol Malhotra (wk) | c Agarwal b Gopal | 28 | 50 | 3 | 0 | Shreyas Gopal | ||
| Ramandeep Singh | c long-off b Krishna | 19 | 35 | 1 | 1 | Prasidh Krishna | ||
| Sanvir Singh | b Parantap | 10 | 20 | 1 | 0 | Yashovardhan Parantap | ||
| Arshdeep Singh | c Padikkal b Koushik | 8 | 15 | 1 | 0 | Vasuki Koushik | ||
| Baltej Singh | c Shrijith b Krishna | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Prasidh Krishna | ||
| Raghu Sharma | not out | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | – | ||
| Mayank Markande | b Gopal | 27 | 35 | 2 | 1 | Shreyas Gopal | ||
| Extras | 27 | |||||||
| Total | 213/10 |
Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Team | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab 1st Innings Bowling (vs Karnataka) | ||||||
| Arshdeep Singh | Punjab | 25 | 4 | 80 | 2 | 3.20 |
| Baltej Singh | Punjab | 20 | 3 | 60 | 2 | 3.00 |
| Mayank Markande | Punjab | 16.1 | 1 | 53 | 3 | 3.27 |
| Jassinder Singh | Punjab | 17 | 2 | 66 | 3 | 3.88 |
| Raghu Sharma | Punjab | 22 | 0 | 90 | 0 | 4.09 |
| Abhishek Sharma | Punjab | 22.1 | 3 | 75 | 0 | 3.38 |
| Karnataka 1st Innings Bowling (vs Punjab) | ||||||
| Prasidh Krishna | Karnataka | 8 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 1.50 |
| Vasuki Koushik | Karnataka | 9 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 1.67 |
| Abhilash Shetty | Karnataka | 6 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 2.33 |
| Yashovardhan Parantap | Karnataka | 3 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 2.67 |
| Shreyas Gopal | Karnataka | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1.00 |
| Punjab 2nd Innings Bowling (vs Karnataka) | Wait, no—Karnataka didn’t bat second. | |||||
| Karnataka 2nd Innings Bowling (vs Punjab) | ||||||
| Prasidh Krishna | Karnataka | 15 | 2 | 45 | 3 | 3.00 |
| Vasuki Koushik | Karnataka | 12 | 1 | 40 | 1 | 3.33 |
| Abhilash Shetty | Karnataka | 14 | 3 | 35 | 1 | 2.50 |
| Yashovardhan Parantap | Karnataka | 13 | 2 | 37 | 3 | 2.85 |
| Shreyas Gopal | Karnataka | 9.4 | 1 | 19 | 4 | 1.97 |
Fall of Wickets (brief): Punjab 1st: 0,12,25,25,40,40,45,55. Karnataka 1st: 20,120,140,200,259,320,380,440,461,475. Punjab 2nd: 18,18,25,85,100,140,180,190,200,213.
Heroes and Heartbreaks: Key Performers Who Lit Up the Game
Let’s give props where due. Ravichandran Smaran—where do we start? A 20-year-old from Tamil Nadu roots but Karnataka through and through, his 203 was the innings of the match. Patient yet punishing, he faced 277 balls, anchoring Karnataka’s total. “It was about occupying the crease,” he said post-match, grinning like a kid who’d aced his exams. Player of the Match? Deservedly his.
Shubman Gill for Punjab was pure class. That 102 in a losing cause? It’s the kind of knock that reminds you why he’s India’s future. He absorbed pressure, played shots with finesse, and gave his team something to build on. “We collapsed badly first up, but proud of the fight today,” Gill told reporters, his voice steady.
Bowling stars: Vasuki Koushik’s 4/15 in the first dig was surgical—swing and seam that left Punjab dazed. Jassinder Singh’s 3/66 on Day 1 showed Punjab’s depth, while Shreyas Gopal’s 3/19 on Day 3 was the killer spell, his leggies turning the screw.
Heartbreaks? Punjab’s top order—Prabhsimran, Abhishek, Wadhera—must reflect. Just 55 all out? That’s coaching room talk for weeks. Karnataka’s lower order, post-Smaran, wagged well, but could they have declared earlier? Nah, this was comprehensive.
What This Means for the Teams – Looking Ahead
This loss stings for Punjab, dropping them in Group C standings. With tougher games ahead against Tamil Nadu and Kerala, they need batting stability. Gill’s return is a boon, but expect coach Yuvraj Singh (if involved) to drill resilience. Positives? Their bowling showed grit—Markande’s 3-fer and Arshdeep’s endurance.
Karnataka? Two wins from two (assuming prior results), they’re flying. Smaran’s emergence adds firepower to an already stacked lineup with Agarwal, Padikkal, and Manohar. Next up, Railways and Vidarbha—they’ll fancy more points. Domestic cricket like this feeds the IPL and international scene; watch Smaran and Gill climb.
Fun fact: This was the 50th meeting between the sides—Karnataka leads 28-19, with 3 draws. History favors the hosts, but Punjab’s spirit? Unbreakable.
Wrapping Up: Cricket’s Magic in Every Run
What a ride this Punjab Cricket Team vs Karnataka Cricket Team Match Scorecard showdown was! From a shocking collapse to a batting epic, it had all the drama that makes cricket our national obsession. Whether you’re a die-hard fan reliving the scorecard or a newbie discovering the joy, remember: It’s not just about wins—it’s the stories, the swings, the cheers.
