Batsmen hold key to Karnataka's fortunes
From Vivek MV, PUNE, Dec 04, 2015, DHNS:
Champs need 232 more runs to enter quarterfinals
On the fourth and final day of what has been an exciting game of cricket between Karnataka and Maharashtra, it all boils down to nerves. Both the teams have experienced fluctuations in fortunes over the three days and there is no clear winner yet.
Resuming from 70 for four in their second essay, with a lead of 102 under their belt, Maharashtra were helped by battling knocks from their middle-order batsmen Rahul Tripathi (78) and Shrikant Mundhe (81) as they were bowled out for 260. Karnataka skipper Vinay Kumar, who had a quiet season so far, stepped up on the right occasion and emerged as the most successful bowler for the hosts, with figures of four for 71.
Chasing a daunting target of 293 for a place in the knockouts, Karnataka, despite the early fall of R Samarth (7), did well to reach 61 for one at stumps, with Robin Uthappa (25) and Mayank Agarwal (23) looking good in the middle.
For Vinay’s men, not only do they have the chance to extend their unbeaten Ranji streak of 34 matches over three seasons, they also hold a chance to re-write history.
Karnataka’s highest fourth innings successful run chase came in 2000-01 when they posted 265 for five against Andhra way back in Belagavi. If the hosts manage to knock down the required runs, it will be their highest successful run chase ever.
It will not be a smooth journey for Karnataka batsmen against a Maharashtra bowling unit, that was dangerous and highly disciplined in their first innings. A draw or a defeat here, will bring curtains to Karnataka’s title defence.
Karnataka began in promising fashion, when they saw the back of skipper Kedar Jadhav (11) and Vishant More (26) in just over one hour of first session. Jadhav, who was expected to take Maharashtra towards a strong second innings total, got out in a bizarre manner. The right-hander surprisingly shouldered arms to a straight ball off Vinay, which crashed into his pads and the umpire had no difficulty in raising the finger.
At a shaky situation of 113 for six, the duo of Tripathi and Mundhe dished out a crucial 96-run stand to leave their opponents frustrated. Both the batsmen took their time to get settled and then unleashed some stylish strokes to take their side’s total to 200.
Even as they were made to toil hard for wickets, the desperation began to show on the body language of the Karnataka players.
After a heated exchange between wicketkeeper CM Gautam and Mundhe, which was ended by the intervening umpires, pacer Abhimanyu Mithun, fielding at long-off, was involved in a war of words with the intimidating crowd, which was completely behind the home team.
Arvind got the breakthrough when he removed Tripathi and Shreyas Gopal, who was introduced in the last over before the new ball was taken, got Bharatkumar Solanki leg-before wicket.
Shreyas again played a key role, when he castled the dangerous looking Mundhe and Karnataka then cleaned up the tail.
Resuming from 70 for four in their second essay, with a lead of 102 under their belt, Maharashtra were helped by battling knocks from their middle-order batsmen Rahul Tripathi (78) and Shrikant Mundhe (81) as they were bowled out for 260. Karnataka skipper Vinay Kumar, who had a quiet season so far, stepped up on the right occasion and emerged as the most successful bowler for the hosts, with figures of four for 71.
Chasing a daunting target of 293 for a place in the knockouts, Karnataka, despite the early fall of R Samarth (7), did well to reach 61 for one at stumps, with Robin Uthappa (25) and Mayank Agarwal (23) looking good in the middle.
For Vinay’s men, not only do they have the chance to extend their unbeaten Ranji streak of 34 matches over three seasons, they also hold a chance to re-write history.
Karnataka’s highest fourth innings successful run chase came in 2000-01 when they posted 265 for five against Andhra way back in Belagavi. If the hosts manage to knock down the required runs, it will be their highest successful run chase ever.
It will not be a smooth journey for Karnataka batsmen against a Maharashtra bowling unit, that was dangerous and highly disciplined in their first innings. A draw or a defeat here, will bring curtains to Karnataka’s title defence.
Karnataka began in promising fashion, when they saw the back of skipper Kedar Jadhav (11) and Vishant More (26) in just over one hour of first session. Jadhav, who was expected to take Maharashtra towards a strong second innings total, got out in a bizarre manner. The right-hander surprisingly shouldered arms to a straight ball off Vinay, which crashed into his pads and the umpire had no difficulty in raising the finger.
At a shaky situation of 113 for six, the duo of Tripathi and Mundhe dished out a crucial 96-run stand to leave their opponents frustrated. Both the batsmen took their time to get settled and then unleashed some stylish strokes to take their side’s total to 200.
Even as they were made to toil hard for wickets, the desperation began to show on the body language of the Karnataka players.
After a heated exchange between wicketkeeper CM Gautam and Mundhe, which was ended by the intervening umpires, pacer Abhimanyu Mithun, fielding at long-off, was involved in a war of words with the intimidating crowd, which was completely behind the home team.
Arvind got the breakthrough when he removed Tripathi and Shreyas Gopal, who was introduced in the last over before the new ball was taken, got Bharatkumar Solanki leg-before wicket.
Shreyas again played a key role, when he castled the dangerous looking Mundhe and Karnataka then cleaned up the tail.
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