Karnataka's batsmen earned their side a handy first-innings lead in their Ranji Trophy league match against Kerala at Bangalore on Wednesday.

A half-century from opener J Arunkumar (51 off 82 balls) set the tone for the day. Barrington Rowland, coming in at number three, then top-scored for his side, making a steady 83 off 199 balls. He hit seven fours in his innings, and was given good support by Vijay Bharadwaj and Thilak Naidu.

Bharadwaj fell at 158 and Rowland at 201, but Naidu held the bottom half of the innings together. He remained not out at stumps on the second day, having made 47 off 134 balls with six fours. He was accompanied by Dodda Ganesh, who was unbeaten on 11. Karnataka ended the day on 293/7; for Kerala, Suresh Kumar took 5-73.

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