Karnataka pile up big lead to put Delhi on the mat

RANJI TROPHY Ishant Sharma & Co largely ineffective on Day Two

KOLKATA: Karnataka batted the entire second day to score an imposing 414 and take a first innings lead of 324 runs against Delhi in their Ranji Trophy group league match on Friday.

Resuming on their overnight score of 131/3, Karnataka produced a collective effort that saw captain Karun Nair, Kaunain Abbas and CM Gautam score fifties to virtually put the game out of Delhi’s reach. Delhi now have two days to bat out and save the game.

Night-watchman Abhimanyu Mithun was caught behind early in the day but Karnataka motored on thanks to an 89-run partnership between Nair and Abbas.

That, and a 77-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Gautam and Shreyas Gopal ensured Delhi were virtually batted out of the game.

Nair set the tempo well when he hit Pawan Suyal for a six over third man earlier in the day but his promising innings was cut short by an excellent reaction catch by left-arm spinner Varun Sood off his own bowling.

Abbas carried on the good work he has been doing this season, bringing up his second successive fifty in only his maiden first-class season. Together with Stuart Binny, Abbas ensured Karnataka weren’t troubled much.

Abbas however was trapped leg-before just before lunch. Binny was solid in a 77-ball 32 but he was caught and bowled by Vikas Tokas with a delivery that stopped on him.

By then, Karnataka’s innings found another support in the form of Gautam who stayed unbeaten on 63, hitting nine boundaries.

Delhi’s bowlers weren’t exactly sent on a leather hunt but Karnataka’s plan to bat the whole day meant they had to toil hard for every wicket. Sood was rewarded for his line and length but overall, it was a listless day for Delhi’s bowlers.

Brief scores: Delhi 90 v Karnataka 414 all out in 141.3 overs (C M Gautam 63*, K Abbas 52, K Nair 53; V Sood 4/80).