Karnataka face uphill task as Saurashtra rule

Karnataka’s struggles against spin bowling spilled over to the second innings, putting them in a spot of bother against an impressive Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy Group ‘B’ contest at Dhruv Pandove stadium on Thursday.

Saurashtra added 62 more to their overnight total of 297/6 to settle for a first innings total of 359. Young Prerak Mankad stretched his maiden century to 126 before being bowled by Stuart Binny. With an impressive lead of 159, Saurashtra spinners bowled disciplined lines to scythe through the Karnataka batting. But for Manish Pandey (58) and Kaunain Abbas there was little intent and application shown by the other batsmen.

The eight-time champions were 168/5 in 62 overs, with a miniscule lead of nine runs, when bad light stopped third day’s play.  Abbas (62 n.o.) and Shreyas Gopal (15 n.o.) now face a daunting task on the fourth and last day. Off-spinner Kamlesh Makvana (3/46) and left-arm spinner Jay Chauhan shared (2/54) the  spoils on another successful outing for Saurashtra.

Together they bowled 40 out of the 60 overs in Karnataka’s second innings on the day.
Makvana, in particular, stood out with his miserly spells. His variations kept Karnataka batsmen in suspense, offering little width and maintained a good length.

The bowlers were well supported by their agile fielders. Unlike Karnataka, they offered no reprieves to the batsmen.

Saurashtra spinners got success early in the innings when Samarth shouldered his arms, only to find Chauhan’s delivery disturbing the bails. Abbas, promoted to the opening slot as Mayank Agarwal was absent from the ground during Karnataka’s fielding, dug deep. Robin Uthappa’s nine-minute stay, however, was ended when he decided to come on the front foot. His bat though followed up a fraction late. By then Makvana had found his pads for yet another leg-before dismissal. With Karnataka 19/2, it revived memories of their previous contest against Odisha where on a slow, worn-out track they had to fight to save the match.

Pandey, who had scored a doughty 75 in the first innings, joined forces with Abbas to stem the rot. Their 110 runs for the third wicket breathed new life into Karnataka. Pandey continued from where he had left in the first innings. It was a patient knock. Light on his feet and decisive in his strokeplay, Pandey played by the text book as he carved out another half-century under pressure. Abbas offered just the support the situation needed. He took his time to gauge the conditions, waited to get to the pitch of the ball, and punished the loose ones to reach to his 50- run mark. Their partnership had put Karnataka on road to recovery.

But then Makvana struck. He breached the defence of Pandey, the ball holding its line. Within four overs of his departure, Karnataka lost their two experienced batsmen in successive overs. Binny was trapped leg before by Chauhan and in the next over and Gautam by Makvana.

Shreyas, who stroked a gutsy second innings 77, to save the contest for Karnataka against Odisha, would have to dish out another such performance on the fourth day alongwith Abbas. It is a battle for survival again for table toppers Karnataka.