Smaran unbeaten on 126 as Rest of India reach 306 for eight on day three

Ravichandran Smaran scored an unbeaten 126 from 131 balls with 15 fours and five sixes on day three of the Irani Cup against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. Rest of India recovered from 197 for eight at tea to finish at 306 for eight, extending their lead to 265 runs.

Smaran came to the crease with Rest of India in trouble at 130 for four and added an unbroken 109 for the ninth wicket with Mukesh Choudhary, who remained not out on nine from 47 balls. The 23-year-old said he had faced similar situations throughout his career and knew how to bat with the tail.

Smaran topped the Ranji Trophy run charts last season with 950 runs but has not yet earned an India A call-up. He said his goal remains to score 1,000 runs in a Ranji season and help Karnataka win every available trophy.