Gautam, Shreyas help Karnataka salvage draw

Defiant knocks from CM Gautam and Shreyas Gopal carried Karnataka to the shores of safety and forced a draw against Odisha on the fourth and final day of the Ranji Trophy Group ‘B’ contest at the Palam Ground here on Thursday.

Gautam (95), narrowly missed a well-deserved century, while Shreyas (77), who had taken a five-wicket haul in the first-innings, brought his all-round abilities to timely use. They were well supported by K Gowtham (46), as Karnataka utilised the morning session to take their second innings total to 393 and set Odisha a target of 231.

The Odisha openers, Sandeep Pattnaik (27) and Ranjit Singh (35), played unhurriedly on the slow track, collecting 63 runs in 32 overs after which the two teams decided to shake hands for the draw. Odisha took three points by the virtue of the first innings lead and Karnataka one. The eight-time champions, who before this contest were on a four-match winning streak, continue to rule the Group ‘B’ table with 30 points from six matches. With two more matches to go against Saurashtra (November 29) and Maharashtra (December 7), Karnataka would want to consolidate their place at the top of the table.

Odisha, on the other hand, are at fifth place with 15 points following their fifth draw and one win from six matches. They had Karnataka on the ropes in the contest. But the southern side, wriggled out of it through gritty knocks from their all-rounders.

Gautam was the best batsman for Karnataka in the match. He had scored 54 in the first innings where most of their batsmen struggled. He again came to the rescue in the second innings when Karnataka dug themselves into a hole by slipping to 133/5. His calculated innings propped them to 244/6 and 18-run lead on the third day.

On resumption this morning, Gautam and Shreyas strung crucial 69 runs for the sixth wicket. In the nippy morning conditions, the two batsmen survived the moving ball, and a few edges. Gautam continued from where he had left on Wednesday, his composure and timing keeping him in good stead. He found the gaps, punished the loose ones and kept the strike rotating. Shreyas toed the line.

However, once near the three-figure mark, Gautam erred in judgement. He poked Suryakant Pradhan’s away going delivery to be caught behind. His knock, however, saved Karnataka the blushes.

Shreyas then took on the role of the anchor and with Gowtham, who curbed his attacking instincts, added 86 runs for the eighth wicket. However, after lunch, Karnataka side folded within three overs, beginning with Shreyas who was bowled by left-arm spinner Dhiraj Singh (5-98), while trying to play him across.
DH News Service