Ranji Trophy; Karthik's masterly century puts Pondicherry in front against Goa

Pondicherry keeper-batsman K B Arun Karthik (113*) celebrates his century at Porvorim.

Photo Credits: Basil Sylvester Pinto

PANAJI
Seasoned campaigner KB Arun Karthik's authoritative unbeaten 113 led Pondicherryto a healthy 76-run first innings lead against Goa in the fifth-round Ranji Trophy fixture of the Elite Group C at the GCA Academy Ground in Porvorim on Wednesday.

At the close of play, Pondicherry were 299-6 in 89 overs with Karthik on an unbeaten 113 (180b, 9x4) with Krishna Pandey on 21* (53b, 2x4) for company.

Earlier in the morning, Goa made optimum use of the red cherry in favourable conditions to pick up five wickets within the first session and seize the advantage. The home captain Darshan Misal led from the front with a four-for. Goa pace spearhead Lakshay Garg started the slide first up in the morning when a rising delivery found Aravind K (4) nibble at it and was caught behind.

Misal joined in the spoils, scalping his 100th Ranji victim when Gonnabattula Chiranjeevi (7) stepped out of his crease and the bails were whipped away by wicketkeeper Eknath Kerkar. Neyan Kangayan, who was batting resolutely, had no clue to a viciously turning ball to be cleaned up by Misal for 37. Experienced batter Paras Dogra continued his wretched form as he was trapped in front by Misal for only 12. The Goa captain completed a four-for when he had his opposite number Rohit K clean-bowled for 19. Rohit along with Karthik had forged a 50-run counter-attacking alliance for the fifth wicket.

The visitors went to lunch in trouble at 129-5 in 37 overs with Kartik batting with intent on 41 (45b, 6x4) and Ankit Sharma on 6. Upon resumption, Kartik survived a difficult chance on 45 when a flying delivery off Garg could not be latched on one-handedly by a leaping Kerkar behind the stumps. The Pondicherry keeper-bat went on to complete his half-century shortly after with a magnificent boundary off left-arm pacer Arjun Tendulkar.

Ankit had lady luck smile upon him when on 26, a top edge taken by Snehal Kauthankar at extra cover found offbreak bowler Mohit Redkar overstep the popping crease. Save for those opportunities and the odd voracious appeals, the Pondicherry batters at the crease were in cruise control. The surface had eased up considerably and the visitors went to tea without any further loss in the afternoon session at 225-5 in 62 overs.

With the game going out of hand, Goa captain Misal introduced part-time offspinner Siddesh Lad to break the threatening partnership. Lad prised out Ankit for a well-made 78 (138b, 10×4, 1x6). The sixth wicket association yielded 143 runs in 238 deliveries in a little over two hours.

Meanwhile, Karthik ran a single to complete a well-deserved 11th First Class 100 and his third for Puducherry off Lad shortly before the second new ball was due. The 36-year-old middle-order bat returned to form in the last game against Services in Palam with scores of 58 and 130. Karthik's 100 came in 153 deliveries and was studded with eight attractive boundaries.

As if matters were not any bad for the home side, not too long before stumps on day 2, Pandey was dropped on 19 by Ruthvik at deep fine-leg much to the dismay of left-arm pacer Tendulkar. Having secured a first innings lead, Pondicherry looked set to secure their first points as they look to build on their handy 76-run lead with four wickets still in hand. 

SCORES: Goa 1st inns 223 in 84 overs (Darshan Misal 50*, Sagar Udeshi 5-76) vs Pondicherry 1st inns 299-6 in 89 overs ( K B Arun Karthik 113*, Ankit Sharma 78, Darshan Misal 4-88)