THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Goa is battling the odds, trailing by 237 runs against a formidable Karnataka at the end of Day 2 in the ongoing Vijay Mercant Trophy U-16 (South Zone) fifth round fixture at JNNC Ground, Shimoga on Tuesday.
Deciding to take the field on winning the toss on Monday, Goa captain Digesh Raikar was made to rue his decision. Karnataka, playing on home conditions, piled on a massive 343/6 (110 overs) when their captain and middle-order batsman Shubhang Hegde declared the innings with him being the cornerstone with a well-compiled unbeaten 127 (221b, 15x4, 1x6). Kumar Lr 57 (105b, 7x4), Aneesh KV 42 (88b, 5x4) and Aksan Rao 37 (80b, 6x4) played their part. For Goa, Salil Korde who bowls an assortment of right-arm off-spin and left-arm spin was the main wicket-taker with 2 for 59 from 16 overs.
In reply, Goa at draw of stumps were bowled out in 67.1 overs for a paltry 106. Only three batsmen managed to reach double digits. One-drop Gauresh Bharat Kambli top-scored for Goa with 30 (53b, 7x4) while opener Omkar Deshbhandari (21) and captain Digesh Raikar (16) also reached two-digit individual scores.
For Karnataka, their captain came to the fore again showcasing his all-round credentials with his beguiling left-arm spin with astonishing returns of 6 for 21 in 26.1 overs including 19 maidens.
Karnataka have the option to enforce the follow tomorrow and are yet to make the decision, according to a reliable source speaking to The Goan.
