Mysuru: Hosts Karnataka completed the formalities and opened their account in the Ranji Trophy 2017-18 points table with an innings and a 121-run win over Assam at the SDNR Wadiyar Stadium here yesterday.

Assam, who were trailing by 155 runs with four wickets in hand when play resumed on the fourth day, were bowled out by Vinay Kumar led team for 203 in the first session.  The Karnataka captain claimed three of the four remaining wickets including Assam’s captain Gokul Sharma while Abhimanyu Mithun picked one to ring in a resounding win. Karnataka secured seven points from this win.

Gokul Sharma (66, 6×4) was bowled by skipper R. Vinay Kumar (179 for seven) and later wickets fell quickly and Assam were bundled out for 203 in 73.1 overs. Skipper Vinay Kumar impressed with figures of four for 31 and he was well supported by Abhimanyu Mithun (three for 47) and K. Gowtham (three for 39).

Meanwhile, K.L.Rahul and Karun Nair were yesterday named in the Karnataka Ranji squad for their second match of the season against Hyderabad, to be played at Shivamogga from Oct. 24. Rahul and Nair are part of the Board Presidents XI side, and both had an impressive outing against New Zealand, scoring 68 and 78, respectively.

The young Board Presidents XI comfortably beat New Zealand by 30 runs in their opening warm-up game in Mumbai, yesterday. Batting first, Board Presidents XI scored 295 for nine in 50 overs and then bowled out the tourists for 265 in 47.4 overs. Both will play the next warm-up match on Oct.22.

Rahul, who has been omitted from the New Zealand ODIs, would like to use the opportunity to make an impression, after Karnataka made a solid start this season by registering a victory against Assam in their opener at Mysuru.

The Scores: Assam 145 & 203 in 73.1 overs (Gokul Sharma 66, Sibsankar Roy 44, Rishav Das 21, R.Vinay Kumar four for 31, A.Mithun three for 47, K. Gowtham three for 39) lost to Karnataka 469 for seven decl. In 126.4 overs (K. Gowtham 149, R. Samarth 123, Shreyas Gopal 50 n.o, Mayank Agarwal 31, Kaunain Abbas 30, R. Vinay Kumar 27 n.o, Arup Das four for 113, P. Sarupam three for 80).