KSCA XI close in on title
Mithun grabs three as Mumbai collapse to 294/7
After a splendid job by their batsmen, Karnataka State Cricket Association XI bowlers produced a disciplined performance to put the hosts in command of the final against Mumbai Cricket Association in the all-India tournament for the Safi Darashah Trophy here at Alur grounds on Monday’s penultimate day.
Having posted a mammoth 564 all out after resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 556/9, KSCA XI reduced the visitors to 294 for seven to take firm grip of the match. KSCA charge was led by their paceman Abhimanyu Mithun who was the most successful of home bowlers with figures of 3/48.
Hiken Shah, batting on 89, was holding the struggling Mumbai innings together at close on the third day.
Amit Verma, who was largely responsible for hosts’ huge total with his 219, picked up a wicket with part-time leg-spinners as did offie K Gowtham, pacer Rajoo Bhatkal and and left-arm spinner KP Appanna.
Decent start
Mumbai had a decent start with their first and second wicket stands raising 67 and 57 runs respectively. But after this, the visiting side lost wickets at regular intervals to lose its way. But for Shah’s defiance Mumbai would have been in a far worse situation, struggling as they were at 165/5 at one stage of their reply.
Shah stitched together two useful partnerships for the sixth (63 runs) and seventh (66) wickets to give the chase a semblance of respectability. In fact, Mumbai score would have been reading a lot better had they not lost Neelkanth Parab (32) at the score they finished the day’s proceedings.
KSCA, though, won’t be complaining. With Mumbai still to score 271 on the final day with only three wickets in hand for the all-important first innings lead, the celebrations in the home camp may have begun early.
Brief scores: KSCA XI (O/n: 556/9): 564 all out in 179.4 overs (Amit Verma 219, CM Gautam 57, Rajoo Bhatkal 40, K Gowtham 82; Kshemal Waingankar 4-109, Abhishek Nayar 2-62, Rakesh Prabhu 2-71) vs Mumbai CA: 294/7 in 87 overs (Swapnil Salvi 38, Kaustubh Pawar 32, Abhishek Nayar 35, Hiken Shah 89 batting, Neelkanth Parab 32; A Mithun 3-48).
