In front of the new set of National selectors, Somasundar carved up the indifferent Rest bowling attack with a flurry of strokes. The opener's top drawer 143 (271b, 360b, 15x4, 3x6) saw Karnataka finish the rain-affected day on a relatively comfortable 233 for four.

But for Somasundar being dismissed in the last over of the day, a caught and bowled victim of Nikhil Chopra, the home team would have been far better placed this evening.

Opting to take first strike on the placid track, Karnataka were helped on their way by a shabby opening spell by medium-pacers Paras Mhambrey and Robin Singh Junior. Mhambrey also bowled numerous no-balls (12 in all) as the opening overs ofthe match were reduced to a bore. Robin's first spell was 4-4-0-0, but that was because the openers let everything go through to the keeper. At the other end, Mhambrey, whose arm seems to have fallen a bit, was barely able to get his deliveries to carry through to the keeper.

The pacemen, however, combined well to provide Rest the first wicket when Arunkumar's uppish on-drive off Robin Singh was brilliantly taken by Mhambrey diving low and full length forward at mid-on.

Karnataka's scoring rate was hampered by a heavy outfield, owing to overnight and early morning rains (the start was delayed by 30 minutes and the close of play was extended by an hour).

But just when it looked like Somasundar and Vijay Bharadwaj would pick up the runs, the latter was trapped in front by an excellent yorker by Robin Singh.

At this stage, with Karnataka on 72 for two, it looked like the home side had thrown away the advantage of batting first. A 30-minute hold up during the post-lunch session due to rains enabled thehosts to regroup and assess the situation.

A determined Somasundar and south paw HT Girish Rao came out after the forced break and batted with responsibility and flair to post the first worthwhile partnership in the innings. The young Girish played with a lot of confidence even as Somasundar switched gears to clobber the erring bowlers. Their 73-run third wicket stand which came in 103 minutes exposed the limitations of the Rest of India attack.

Robin Singh Jr bagged two wickets but his lack of control over line and length was glaring. Off-spinner Nikhil Chopra and left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar (6 no balls) got the odd delivery to grip and turn but former Test leg-spinner Sivaramakrishnan and Rohan Gavaskar looked far too ordinary on the day.

But Karnataka's bugbear, its inconsistent batting, once again let it down. Barring Somasundar, who played gloriously, Arun Kumar, Bharadwaj and Girish Rao played themselves in and then threw away their wickets.

Somasundar, let off on 88 when wicket-keeper MSKPrasad muffed a stumping chance off Pawar, lofted Chopra for a huge six before lunch. He moved from 94 to 100 with a massive straight six off Pawar that landed in the BEML stands. As if to celebrate that stroke he lofted Sivaramakrishnan into the stands again.

Meanwhile Girish Rao was pouched in the slips by a Chopra delivery that spun and jumped.

However, Somasundar found another enthusiastic partner in first class debutant A Vijay. The fourth wicket pair added 88 before Somasundar departed in the last over of the day.

Karnataka would look forward to Vijay (25 batting) and Sunil Joshi to take the side to a respectable score. As for Rest of India, the second new ball is already due. But their medium-pacers would have to bowl with far more purpose if they are to prise out the rest of the batting on this strip.

SCOREBOARD

Karnataka (1st innings): Sujith Somasundar c&b Chopra 143, Arun Kumar c Mhambrey b Robin Jr 12, Vijay Bharadwaj lbw Robin Jr 10, Girish Rao c Muzumdar b Chopra 23, A Vijaybatting 25; Extras: (1lb. 19 nb) 20. Total: (for 4 in 91.5 overs) 233

Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-72, 3-145, 4-233

Bowling: Mhambrey 12-0-46-0, Robin Singh Jr 18-10-31-2, Sivaramakrishnan 13-3-49-0, Pawar 16-3-41-0, Chopra 27.5-9-51-2, Gavaskar 5-0-14-0