The second spherical of matches in the continuing Ranji Trophy are set to conclude as we speak (January 15). While fairly a number of matches ended inside two to a few days, whereas different matches are headed in the direction of draw. But Karnataka and Gujarat performed out an exhilarating encounter on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Mayank Agarwal-led facet floundered massively in the chase of 110 runs to lose the match by six runs after dominating for 3 days.
Perhaps, Karnataka have been sitting fairly at 50/0 as Devdutt Padikkal and Agarwal began confidently in the chase. But as soon as the opening stand was damaged, all hell broke free with left-arm spinner Siddharth Desai wrecking havoc choosing up seven wickets. Only Shubhang Hedge, batting at quantity 4, confirmed some resistance scoring 27 runs however three batters together with Manish Pandey bagged geese as Karnataka collapsed to get bowled out for 103 runs in 26.2 overs.
The superb flip round has given Gujarat an outright victory which seemed unlikely till the fourth morning. As far because the match is worried, Gujarat managed to put up 264 runs in their first innings after being 45/4 at one stage. Karnataka then rode on century from their skipper Mayank (109) and half-centuries from Pandey (88) and Padikkal (60) to amass 374 runs and take a lead of 110 runs.
Gujarat but once more managed to recuperate from 52/4 in their second innings and mustered 219 runs. Perhaps, they have been additionally struggling at 145/7 at one stage however the lower-order batters by some means managed to push the lead past 100 runs. Even then, Karnataka have been the favourites to gun down the goal. However, little did they know {that a} Desai named bowler would blow them away together with his spin bowling in only a matter of couple of hours.
Brief Scores
Gujarat – 264 & 219 beat Karnataka 374 & 103 by six runs
Top scorers – Mayank Agarwal – 109; Manish Pandey – 88
Top wicket-takers – Siddharth Desai – 7/42 (whole 9 wickets in the match)
