Karnataka had their best day of three in office at the Wankhede stadium on Monday. It is unlikely to alter the script of their opening Ranji Trophy Super League Group 'A' tie against Mumbai, but the confidence gained from a solid batting display should stand the former champions in good stead for the rest of the season.

Any designs the visitors might have envisioned of first wiping out the 142-run deficit, and then setting the defending champions a challenging target on the final day, were scuttled by the negativity the hosts showed in the final session of the third day. Consequently, Karnataka settled for batting practice as they battened the hatches and ground away, reaching 195 for the loss of Barrington Rowland’s scalp when stumps were drawn after another sweltering, humid day’s skirmishes.

Karnataka, who rode on R Vinay Kumar’s incisive burst with the second new ball to dismiss Mumbai for 337 inside the first hour, will go into Tuesday’s play 53 runs to the good, KB Pawan and Rahul Dravid both eyeing individual milestones in the shape of first-class centuries. Given the surprising placidity of the Wankhede strip, it is difficult to see Karnataka attempt to make a match of it on the final day.

Stalemate

In the event of a stalemate which this match appears almost certainly headed towards, Karnataka will pick up a point for having conceded the lead under the new points system in vogue this season. Should they lose outright, they will have nothing to show for four days of toil, and that will weigh heavily on Anil Kumble's mind as he sifts through the options at his disposal.

It was a toil alright with the bat for Karnataka's batsmen, their powers of concentration put through a severe test not so much by the bowling or the vagaries of the surface as by the continued oppressive conditions.

Mumbai were pumped up early on as they sought to drive home the advantage of being 142 to the good.

Rowland and Pawan defied them with a broad blade, and a stout heart. Unlike in the first innings when they allowed themselves to be bogged down in a mire of defensiveness, the Karnataka batsmen cashed in on the loose deliveries as well.

The openers got the team off to just the kind of start Kumble would have so loved in the first knock, but the innings of the day came from Dravid, and that really was no surprise.

The pressure of scrutiny that accompanied him to the middle on day one conspicuous by its absence, Dravid played with characteristic poise and plenty of purpose. He tended to favour the region behind point for a majority of his boundaries, but wasn’t averse to using his feet either as first-innings destroyer Ramesh Powar was firmly put in his place.

Two wonderfully timed sixes that sailed way past the long-on boundary established who the master was; unlike on Saturday, Dravid didn’t allow his one-time India team-mate to laugh last — and best — as he warmed up for tougher battles ahead by doing what he does best, which is to occupy the crease and bat long.

Rowland too belongs to the Dravid school, but he showed rare enterprise on Monday. Even as Pawan was happy to hold his end up, Rowland displayed unusual streaks of aggression, completely the dominant partner in the opening stand of 69 that ended in the second over after lunch.

Pawan brilliant

Pawan positively flowered in Dravid’s company, his judgement outside off impeccable and his selection of shots faultless. A maiden Ranji half-century was no more than he deserved; a hundred on the morrow is what both he and his illustrious partner will eye when they seek to further extend their association, already worth 126 (209m, 335b).

Mumbai's plans to extend their overnight 302 for seven to mammoth proportions were nipped in the bud by Vinay in a spell of three for 13 after a wicketless day one. The breakthrough came in the third over when Ajit Agarkar was trapped in front, and wicket-keeper Thilak Naidu picked up an excellent catch to dismiss his counterpart Vinayak Samant. A good start to the day for the visitors, and a good finish too, but a little too late, one suspects.