Ranji Trophy 2023-24 quarterfinals: Pacers Vyshak, Kaverappa bring Karnataka back into contest against Vidarbha on Day 4

Having dismissed Vidarbha for 196 in its second innings, Karnataka finished at 103 for one at Stumps and needs 268 runs on the final day to reach the Ranji Trophy semifinals.

Vidarbha’s Umesh Yadav is bowled by Karnataka fast bowler V. Vyshak in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal at VCA Stadium (Civil Lines) on Monday. | Photo Credit: ASHWIN ACHAL

From being down and out, Karnataka clawed back into contention against Vidarbha in its Ranji Trophy quarterfinal in Nagpur on Monday.

An inspired performance from fast bowlers Vidwath Kaverappa (6/61) and V. Vyshak (4/81) lifted Karnataka from gloom to hope. The pacers bowled with heart and fire to dismiss Vidarbha for 196 in the second essay, leaving Karnataka with a 371-run target.

Openers Mayank Agarwal (61 batting, 77b, 9x4, 1x6) and R. Samarth (40, 69b, 5x4) showed positive intent in a 101-run stand. On the final day, the visitor needs another 268 runs, with nine wickets in hand. This is no walk in the park, but having started the day 234 runs in arrears, Karnataka has momentum in its favour.

Cracking Spell 🔥

Vidwath Kaverappa bowled superbly in the morning session to pick up three wickets and lead Karnataka's fightback against Vidarbha.@IDFCFIRSTBank | #RanjiTrophy | #VIDvKAR | #QF1

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/H9HIDoYq2Cpic.twitter.com/ItGdP6VeSJ

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 26, 2024

Mayank’s men entered the penultimate day determined to make it tough for Vidarbha. Vyshak, Kaverappa and V. Koushik kept a better length than seen in the first essay, and the fielders had a spring in the step. There was the odd verbal joust with batters, who fell deeper and deeper into a shell.

Mild tremors were felt in the Vidarbha camp when Vyshak prised out top-order batters Dhruv Shorey (57) and Yash Rathod (7) in successive overs. When mainstay Karun Nair offered wicketkeeper Sharath Srinivas a catch to leave Vidarbha at 169 for six, the floodgates opened.

The consistent Kaverappa rose to the occasion, scalping 10 wickets for the match. “To stay in the game, we had to get them all out before Tea,” Kaverappa said.

The 25-year-old conceded that the bowling unit was not at its best in the first innings, putting it down to “one off day”.

Karnataka’s ‘do or die’ approach carried forward with the bat. This was exemplified by a first-ball boundary from the normally cautious Samarth.

Vidarbha paid a heavy price for being much too defensive. The sole goal with the bat was to block, which allowed Karnataka to keep the pressure on.

When bowling, skipper Akshay Wadkar spread his field and offered Mayank and Samarth singles and twos. Vidarbha was content to sit back and wait for things to happen - a passive approach which backfired.

BRIEF SCORES

Vidarbha 460 & 196 (Dhruv Shorey 57; Vidwath Kaverappa 6/61, V. Vyshak 4/81) leads Karnataka 286 & 103/1 (R. Samarth 40, Mayank Agarwal 61 n.o.) by 267 runs.