India, Feb. 16 -- At least for now, eight-time champions Karnataka don't appear in the mood to bat a second time in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Uttarakhand here. On Monday, they took their imposing score to 689/6 on Day Two of the five-day encounter.

After finishing Day One on 355/2, Karnataka lost four wickets on the second day, but their batters added 334 more runs to the total, making things difficult for the hosts on a slow turf at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Skipper Devdutt Padikkal struck his career-best double century in first-class cricket, while young Ravichandran Smaran was unbeaten on 121 at stumps.

Padikkal, an elegant left-handed batter, scripted a masterclass on Monday. His 330-ball 232, laced ...