Vinay-Ronit partnership the turning point, says Manish Pandey

Karnataka captain Manish Pandey credited Vinay Kumar and Ronit More for their 97-run partnership in the first innings that turned the tables for the side in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal contest against Team Rajasthan.

Manish Pandey revealed he looked to attack when he came out to bat; his 75-ball 87 (unbeaten) helped Karnataka romp home quickly on Day Four.

The 97-run last-wicket partnership between Vinay Kumar and Ronit More in Karnataka’s first innings was the turning point of the contest, captain Manish Pandey said after his team’s six-wicket win over Team Rajasthan.

The duo, with Vinay making an unbeaten 83, had helped the host gain a crucial 39-run innings lead.

“That partnership, especially the way Vinay batted, was one of the reasons why we won the game quite comfortably. Vinay has done well with the bat quite a few times recently. That was the turning point for us,” Pandey said here on Friday.

DAY FOUR REPORT

Pandey said he looked to attack when he came out to bat. “The intent to score runs should be there. In the previous games, I thought we were too defensive. It hasn’t worked. I was clear in my mind to look for boundaries. My first three boundaries were not convincing, but things changed. Once we got going, their (Rajasthan players’) voices dropped,” he said.

There is no doubting Karun Nair’s big-match temperament, according to Pandey. “Before the match, I had said that a couple of innings [don’t] define a batsman. Karun had the experience and hunger to get runs. He spent time at the crease, and eventually the runs came,” Pandey said.