Nov 3 (DHNS): Karnataka were desperate for an outright win. Rajasthan were determined to avoid it. Spurred by a counterpunching second-innings century from Pranay Sharma, the hosts did manage to play on the nerves of the defending champions but couldn’t avoid the inevitable.
On the last day of their Ranji Trophy Group A encounter, Karnataka finally cruised to their first victory of the season by 92 runs, at the Sawai Mansingh stadium here on Tuesday.
Before this, Karnataka had logged points from two first-innings leads in four drawn matches and were in a spot of bother. The six points from their maiden triumph of the year has catapulted them to third place in Group A with 14 points behind Delhi (18) and Vidarbha (16).
The depleted side, following a spate of injuries to key players, got their act together on the final day and closed the match within 10 minutes of the extended tea session. It, however, took longer than expected especially when they had Rajasthan beginning the day at 42/3 in the pursuit of 358-run target. In fact, it took Karnataka 97 minutes to get a breakthrough in the morning with overnight batsman Pranay (114, 190b, 17x4, 1x6) and night watchman Tanveer-Ul-Haq (19) frustrating them with their 64-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Karnataka, though, have got only themselves to blame. Their catching has been sloppy throughout the season. Against Rajasthan, the eight-time champions were being generous at least nine times in their two innings which allowed partnerships to prosper for Rajasthan. Pranay benefitted from it at various stages of his innings.
Mayank Agarwal missed his edge at the slip cordon and helped the opener move to 95 with a boundary. Suchith had dropped Pranay when he was on 4 on Sunday. He again came to his aid in the second session by fumbling on a good chance at the backward point. Pranay was on 97 that time. In fact, Suchith was guilty in the morning as well when he dropped Tanveer at slip when he was on just 3. Later, Abhishek Reddy at short leg spilled Dishant Yagnik, who was on 5 that time. He went on to make unbeaten 71 and his 98 runs partnership with Pranay gave Karnataka a run for their money.
It was Stuart Binny who provided Karnataka the breather when his delivery cut in to hit the pads of Tanveer, who had shown stubborn defence till that time. That injected life into Karnataka and in the next over Shreyas Gopal took the big wicket of Rajat Bhatia.
The delivery kicked and hit the gloves of Bhatia and leaped behind wicket-keeper CM Gautam. Vinay ran from the first slip to catch it. The huddle of Karnataka players at slip cordon made it apparent how much the wicket meant to them.
For Rajasthan, Pranay continued to sparkle with some delectable drives on both sides of the field and catapulted the hosts to 167/6 by lunch. He brought up his century with a cut to the boundary and alongwith Yagnik made Karnataka sweat on a hot day.
The southern side tried all tricks in the bag with Arvind even bowling off-spin on the worn down fourth day track. Pranay’s was a soft dismissal; an edge off Davis Mathias (3/53) which was pounced on by R Samarth at second slip. It was all what the visitors needed. The Rajasthan tail wagged but Karnataka eventually asserted their might to clinch the much awaited victory.