Saurashtra left hander Sitanshu Kotak held the Rest of India innings together on the third day of the Irani Trophy tie against Karnataka at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Sunday. The Rajkot born batsman, who turns 27 on October 19, made an unbeaten 116 as Rest of India made 298 for six off 116.5 overs at stumps in reply to Karnataka's first innings total of 170.

In placing Rest of India in a happy position with two more days still left in the match, Kotak was helped in no small measure by Reetinder Singh Sodhi of Punjab and Harvinder Singh Sodhi of Madhya Pradesh. Rest of India, resuming at 93 for three, were none too happily placed at 110 for five. First the left hander from Tamil Nadu Hemang Badani was caught by Somasundar off Srinath for 13. Three runs later skipper Mongia was caught by the same fielder off Ganesh for one.

Karnataka, after being bowled out for a moderate total, seemed to have come back into the game strongly. But Kotak who was on 12 overnight, started playing his strokes freely. He and Reetinder Singh Sodhi started the recovery process by adding 80 runs off 30 overs. Sodhi who matched Kotak in run production was then out for 39, being held by Anand Katti off Yalvigi. Sodhi, who turns 19 on October 18, faced 96 balls, hitting four of them to the fence.

Harvinder Singh Sodhi joined Kotak and the two carried on from where Reetinder Singh Sodhi had left. Kotak gained in confidence and soon reached a well deserved century. Sodhi, who turns 28 on October 17, gave him able support and when play was stopped because of bad light with 10.1 overs remaining, Rest of India had gained a first innings lead of 128 runs. Kotak and Sodhi have so far added 108 runs in 39.3 overs for the unbroken seventh wicket partnership. Kotak has faced 278 deliveries and has hit 11 boundaries. He came to the crease on Saturday evening when the score was 69 for three and sustained the innings in an exemplary manner. Sodhi, shortly before close, reached his half century. He has faced 110 balls and hit eight of them to the ropes.

For Karnataka, Srinath, Ganesh and Yalvigi took two wickets each. Kumble however finished the day with the disappointing figures of no wicket for 81 runs off 22.5 overs.