R Samarth’s third FC ton highlights opening day
PANAJI
Opener R Samarth struck a masterful 140 as 8-times Ranji Trophy champions Karnataka went to stumps at a comfortable 294-3 in 90 overs in the third round of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C clash against hosts Goa at the Academy ground in Porvorim on Tuesday.
Electing to bat, Karnataka rode on their reliable opening pair of R Samarth and captain, Mayank Agarwal to raise a platform, on a wicket that initially helped the moving ball.
Goa pace trio led by spearhead, Lakshay Garg probing with his accurate line and length, Arjun Tendulkar with his left arm pace and Felix Alemao, with his rising deliveries, tried all tricks up their sleeve to unnerve the opening Karnataka batters.
But the experienced duo of R Samarth-Agarwal played smartly to the situation. They began with circumspect respect to the conditions and punished the odd loose delivery. As the wicket eased out, and they got their eye in, the seasoned openers unleashed a wide array of shots.
With less than 20 minutes to go for lunch, and Karnataka at 95 for no loss in the 21st over, R Samarth had a reprieve when he was bowled on 45 with Garg overstepping the popping crease. Meanwhile, his partner, captain, Mayank Agarwal on 42 had a scare when Sumiran Amonkar, positioned at forward short leg could not pouch at a dying ball off slow left arm orthodox, Darshan Misal.
Against the run of play, Agarwal was dismissed leg before to Garg after playing an attractive exact 50 (81b, 5x4, 2x6). Karnataka went to lunch at 116-1 in 30.5 overs.
On resumption, 19-year-old Vishal Onat in only his third Ranji match settled in quickly as R Samarth found an ally to forge another massive alliance. So much so, part-timer offbreak bowler, Siddhesh Lad was introduced as the sixth bowler in the 49th over to break the threatening second-wicket stand. R Samarth brought up his third century in the First Class season in as many innings with a single off slow bowler Mohit Redkar. The milestone came in 162 deliveries and was laced with 10 boundaries.
By lunch, Karnataka stacked up 220 for the loss of only their skipper Agarwal (50). R Samarth (120*) looked on course for a double hundred and Onat into the groove on 36.
Left arm pacer, Arjun Tendulkar who returned for his third spell post lunch, broke the second wicket stand at 143 claiming R Samarth for 140 (238b, 341m, 14x4) who nicked the ball to the Goa wicketkeeper, Eknath Kerkar.
22-year-old S J Nikin Jose who came in to bat at four did not last long and was out leg before for 9 to the slow left arm orthodox guiles of Darshan Misal. Karnataka had lost two quick wickets for the addition of only 25 runs and were reduced to 284-3 at the start of the 86th over.
Nullifying any thoughts of a nightwatchman walking out to bat, Manish Pandey, strode out in lieu to the wicket to make a statement.
Pandey played a wonderful straight drive late in the day to stay unbeaten on 8, providing company to Onat on 73* (172b, 9x4), as the visitors went to stumps at 294-3.
