Goa salvage a point in rain-curtailed match

PANAJI

In a rain-affected fixture, on the fourth and final day of the the Elite Group B clash between Karnataka and Goa at the KSCA Navule Stadium in Shimoga, hosts Karnataka secured three points by securing a vital first innings lead and the visitors, salvaged a point, as the match ended in a draw.

Resuming at 171-6, still adrift by 200 runs, Goa could only last another 10.2 overs in the morning session, before being all out for a paltry 217. Overnight batters, Arjun Tendulkar (47) and Mohit Redkar, who top-scored with 53, were both taken by the wicketkeeper K L Shrijith off Right arm Fast medium, Vidwath Kaverappa. Goa wicketkeeper Samar Dubhashi could only contribute 6, when he was snapped at gully by Smaran R to reward an impressive Kaverappa with a fifer. Fellow pacer, Vyshak V claimed Vasuki Koushik for 5, as Goa failed to avert the follow-on.

Trailing by 154 runs, the follow-on was enforced, and Goa began their second essay disappointingly. Suyash Prabhudesai endured another low score when he was trapped leg before for 13 by Right arm Medium Vyshak V with only 20 runs on the board. The other opener, Manthan Khutkar on 15 and one-down Abhinav Tejrana on 12 guided Goa safely to lunch at 42-1 still 112 runs behind.

Post resumption, the batting pair continued to build on a second-wicket stand and the score read 111-1 midway through the 38th over, when tea was taken early, due to bad weather. Khutkar was shaping well on 42, while Tejrana looked good on 54.

Eventually, when the match resumed, Khutkar completed his third Ranji Trophy fifty, and was batting calmly on 55, with Tejrana on a composed 73, when bad weather intervened again. Goa were 143-1 in 46 overs, still trailing the hosts by 11 runs. No further play was possible and the match was called off. at 3.00pm.

By virtue of a first innings lead, Karnataka earned three points, while Goa managed a point in the rain-marred draw.

BRIEF SCORES

>Karnataka, 1st innings. 371 in 110.1 overs (Karun Nair 174*;Vasuki Koushik 3-35, Arjun Tendulkar 3-100) v Goa, 1st innings. 217 in 87.2 overs (Mohit Redkar 53, Vidwath Kaverappa 5-51) & Goa, 2nd inns. (Following on) 143-1 in 46 overs (Abhinav Tejrana 73* ) Match Drawn Karnataka took First Innings Lead