Bangalore: Lokesh Rahul's good run of form continued as the young batsman struck an unbeaten 150 to guide Karnataka to a comfortable position in their Group A Ranji Trophy cricket match against Uttar Pradesh here yesterday.


KL Rahul. Pic/MiD DAY Freelancer SU 

At stumps on the first day, hosts Karnataka were strongly placed at 326 for the loss of four wickets at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Shreyas Gopal was batting on 88 at the close of play and, in the company of the in-form Rahul, added 178 runs for the fifth wicket. Uttar Pradesh won the toss and elected to field, hoping to utilise early morning's helpful conditions, but that was not to be as Karnataka rode on Lokesh's 256-ball knock and his 80-run partnership with Robin Uthappa (41).