BRIEF SCORES: Goa, 1st innings. 321 in 110.1 overs (Snehal Kauthankar 83; Venkatesh M 3-41, V Vyshak 3-76, Rohit Kumar A C 3-90) & 2nd innings. 93-1 in 27 overs (Siddharth K V 57*, Suyash Prabhudessai 34*) vs Karnataka, 1st innings. 498-9 d in 126.4 overs (Mayank Agarwal 114, S J Nikin Jose 107, Devdutt Padikkal 103; Darshan Misal 6-134, Mohit Redkar 3-119)
PANAJI
Karnataka piled up 498-9 in their first essay on the weight of three hundreds, took a sizeable 177-run first innings lead and had an early breakthrough in their push for maximum points.
But in their path stood the in-form Suyash Prabhudessai on 34 and former Karnataka batter, Siddharth K V on 57 who forged an unconquered 92-run stand for the second wicket in 155 deliveries as the home side looked to drive home the advantage in their third round Ranji Trophy Elite Group C clash against Goa at the SDNR Wadiyar Ground in Mysore on Sunday.
Resuming on 253-4, the overnight Karnataka pair in vice captain S J Nikin Jose and keeper-batsman, S Sharath were in cruise mode in the morning session adding 143 runs in 34 overs without losing a wicket and taking a handy 75-run lead. Karnataka went to lunch at 396-4 in 98 overs, with Nikin looking in fine touch on 73 134b, 6x4) and S Sharath playing the perfect foil with an unbeaten 48 (96b, 4x4).
Upon resumption, Goa pulled back things to an extent with their captain and allrounder, Darshan Misal coming to the fore. S Sharath departed soon after for 49 claimed by Slow Left arm Orthodox Misal. Bowling allrounder, Shubhang Hegde struck a quick-fire 36, studded with five boundaries before he was trapped in front by Misal.
Nikin who completed his second First Class hundred fell for 107 (215b, 6x4) in a bizarre mode. A rank bad short delivery by Misal was dealt severely towards short leg where Deepraj Gaonkar was struck on the helmet and the ball ricocheted to Snehal Kauthankar at first slip. Karnataka were now 478-7 with a declaration imminent.
Allrounder Venkatesh M was out leg before to Right arm Offbreak Mohit Redkar for 3, while V Vyshak contributed 8 before nicking one behind to Samar Dubhashi off Misal. At this juncture with Karnataka on an imposing 498-9 and V Koushik on 9, the home side skipper, Mayank Agarwal declared the innings. Seasoned middle-order batsman, Mayank Agarwal who had injured his palm on day 1 did not come out to bat.
177 runs in the arrears, and with four sessions to contend with, Goa began their second essay in disastrous fashion. Southpaw opener Ishaan Gadekar was bowled by speedster V Koushik for only 1, while playing on the backfoot.
Siddharth K V, who was Karnataka's Ranji top run-getter in the 2021-22 season, walked in at one-down with a point to prove against his former State side. He struck an authoritative unbeaten 57 (74b, 8x4, 1x6) while his partner, Suyash Prabhudessai stayed assured on 34 (82b, 3x4) as stumps were drawn on the penultimate day with Goa 93-1 in 27 overs, still trailing by 84 runs.
