KARNATAKA ROUT MUMBAI BY AN INNINGS
Nagpur, Dec. 10: Karnataka inflicted an innings and 20 runs defeat on Mumbai with more than a day to spare in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal in Nagpur on Sunday to move into the semifinals in convincing fashion.
Karnataka, who took a huge 397-run first innings lead over Mumbai by scoring a massive 570 after bundling out the latter for a paltry 173, bowled out the 41-time champions for 377 in 114.5 overs in the second innings to complete a comprehensive victory on day four of the five-day game at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha.
Surya Kumar Yadav made a defiant 108, off 180 balls with 16 fours and one six, before he was run out in the pre-lunch session to open the doors for eight-time title winners Karnataka to press ahead and complete the rout.
Akash Parkar made 65, in 186 balls laced with 11 fours, besides adding 98 runs for the fourth wicket with Yadav after the two batsmen commenced the day with Mumbai on 120 for three.
Parkar also added 52 runs with Siddhesh Lad for the fifth wicket before being dismissed by off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham.
Captain Vinay Kumar, who bagged a hat-trick in his six wicket haul in the first innings, got two crucial wickets — those of crisis man Lad for 31 and rival captain Aditya Tare for a duck — before off spinner Gowtham scythed through the lower order to finish with a haul of 6 for 104.
Meanwhile, bowlers put Delhi on course for a memorable win by bowling out Madhya Pradesh for 283 in their second innings, giving their team a 217-run target to chase on day five.
Pacer Vikas Tokas (3/64) and left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra (4/59) did the bulk of the damage on day four to put their team in a strong position.