Kolkata: Rajneesh Gurbani once again justified his credentials with the ball as Vidarbha need just three more wickets to beat Karnataka and make it into the final of the Ranji Trophy.
The Vinay Kumar led side on the other hand require 87 more runs to cap off a magnificent win. After having the most part of the match in control, Karnataka lost their way while chasing 198 to set up a clash with Delhi in the Ranji Trophy final. Among the top four batsmen, only Ravikumar Samarth (24) and Karun Nair (30) scored in double figures as Mayank Agarwal and Dega Nischal failed make any significant contribution to the team, once again, after their failure in the first innings. Wicket-keeper batsman CM Gautam played a fighting 24-run knock of 53 balls which included one six and three fours but the worry for Karnataka would be the fact that they have only three wickets left in the kitty.
Siddhesh Neral supported Gurbani with two wickets conceding 37 runs as Vidarbha close in on a final berth. But Karnataka on the other hand, cannot be undermined at any cost given the fact that both Vinay Kumar (19*) and Shreyas Gopal (1*) can bat. They would need just one significant partnership to seal the deal and progress to the final.
Earlier, Vidarbha were dismissed for 313 runs with Ganesh Satish top scoring with 81 runs. The next best knock was that of Aditya Sarwate’s 55. Stuart Binny and Vinay Kumar took three wickets apiece while Srinath Aravind scalped two wickets.
Although Vidarbha are the favourites, the match pretty much hangs in the balance with the fifth and final day promising an interesting finish.
Brief scores-
Karnataka 301 all out and 111/7 (Karun Nair 30, CM Gautam 24; Rajneesh Gurbani 4/35) need 87 more runs to win against Vidarbha 185 all out and 313 all out (Ganesh Satish 81, Aditya Sarwate 55; Vinay Kumar 3/71)