A terrific 97-run stand between Vinay Kumar (83 n.o., 144b, 10x4, 2x6) and Ronit More (10, 59b, 1x4) helped Karnataka record a 39-run first-innings lead against Team Rajasthan on the second day of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal outing here on Wednesday.
Vinay and More came together with Karnataka on 166 for nine, 58 runs behind Rajasthan’s total. The duo — they had put on a similarly fighting 68-run 10th-wicket partnership against Chhattisgarh a couple of weeks ago — displayed acute tactical acumen to carry their team to 263.
Fightback
On a pitch on where the odd ball alarmingly zipped through at ankle height, the Vinay-More fightback was worth its weight in gold.
RANJI TROPHY QUARTERFINALS | DAY TWO - AS IT HAPPENED
Vinay recorded his third fifty in four innings, and protected More by shepherding the strike. A couple of sixes hit by Vinay, off leg-spinner Rahul Chahar, brought the small crowd to life. More, meanwhile, was more than competent with the straight bat defence. The stand, which lasted for a little over two hours, deflated the visitor.
Rajasthan’s woes finally came to an end when More was dismissed by Rahul. The spinner recorded figures of five for 83, and along with Tanveer Ul-Haq (three for 50), did the bulk of the damage.
‘A big difference’
A pleased Vinay said, “If the bowlers contribute 50-60 runs, it makes a big difference. I have been working on my batting. Nowadays, seeing all the competition, I’m taking batting more seriously. Credit should also go to More.”
Earlier, poor shot selection and disciplined bowling put Karnataka in trouble. Pacers Deepak Chahar and Tanveer kept the ball slightly outside off-stump, and reaped big rewards. D. Nischal, Karun Nair and skipper Manish Pandey all fell poking away from the body. While Nischal nicked a dangerous full outswinger, Karun and Manish were thoroughly disappointing, flashing at harmless deliveries that should have been left alone.
K. V. Siddharth received two lives during the course of his 91-ball 52. On 40, he nicked Deepak to wicketkeeper Chetan Bist’s right. The ball was close enough for Chetan to collect it with both hands, but he instead attempted a one-hander and fluffed it. A short while later, Deepak was let down again when his brother Rahul put down a chance at deep square-leg.
Siddharth was eventually bowled by a sharp in-cutter from Tanveer. Shreyas Gopal (25, 75b) was his usual steady self, until Rahul trapped him on the pads. Gopal was none too pleased with the umpire’s decision and made his displeasure known, but to no avail.
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