Binny, Verma haul Karnataka out of trouble

Duo shares 155-run sixth-wicket stand to steer visitors to competitive 254

Stuart Binny and Amit Verma came together when Karnataka were dangling on the edge of perdition against Himachal Pradesh but their innings of class and maturity instilled a new dose of life into the visitors.

Karnataka’s first-innings total of 254 looked impossible once they were reduced to 46 for five in a little over an hour on day one at the HPCA stadium on Wednesday. But the 155-run association for the sixth wicket off 304 balls between Binny, who made his first Ranji hundred, and Verma propelled Karnataka to a score that will encourage their bowlers to have a go at the opposition on the morrow. The home side ended the first day’s play in the Ranji Trophy Super League Group B tie at one without loss.

Verma, who had made a hundred against Haryana, played in typical style, putting a high price on his wicket. But the remarkably changed approach of Binny (109, 262m, 173b, 12x4) offered the story of the day. Never apprehensive of playing his shots, Binny checked his aggression to grind the host bowlers, who were relentless for a large part of the day.

There were times when his uppish drives went dangerously close to fielders or he wafted loosely outside the off-stump. But the all-rounder put those anxious moments behind him to play an innings full of character that could turn a new page in his career.

Till now viewed as a batsman fit only for the shorter version of the game, Binny underscored his ability to survive the rigours of the longer format. It was an innings both the batsman and the team needed in equal measure. The presence of a composed Verma at the other end helped Binny in his job and a well-executed cut over gully off Vikramjeet Malik brought his maiden hundred.

Verma too deserves a large chunk of credit for taking Karnataka to a position of strength. He might not fit into the image of a flamboyant left-hander who can thrill with a dashing array of strokes. The youngster belongs to the school of batsmen who believe in tiring the opposition down and grafting for runs. It was the kind of approach Karnataka needed, and with Binny too discovering a patient side, Himachal ran out of ideas.

Just like Binny received a few favours from fortune, Verma too was lucky during his stay. Vineet Indulakar grassed a straightforward chance at gully off Rishi Dhawan when the southpaw was on nine and six runs later, Mohinder Sharma dropped him off Malik.

Just when the alliance seemed to assume bigger proportions, Verma lost his wicket to a dubious decision. Umpire Amiesh Saheba upheld Sangram Singh’s appeal for caught behind when the ball seemed to spin away from the bat. Earlier Mohinder Sharma, who grabbed five wickets including that of centurion Binny conceding a mere 29 runs, ran through the Karnataka top-order to raise visions of a stunning collapse.

HP skipper Paras Dogra had little hesitation in inviting Karnataka to bat first and his bowlers, under pacer Mohinder, responded splendidly to his call. They exploited the nippy conditions to the hilt as the batsmen struggled to find their feet on a green top. But the visitors were fortunate to have two strong-willed individuals in Binny and Verma amidst them. Now, over to Abhimanyu Mithun and his colleagues!

Score Board

KARNATAKA (I Innings): KB Pawan c Dogra b Malik 0 (5m, 4b), KL Rahul c Bisla b Sharma 3 (42m, 23b), Ganesh Satish c Bisla b Sharma 10 (70m, 49b, 2x4), Robin Uthappa c Bisla b Dhawan 17 (49m, 34b, 2x4), Manish Pandey lbw Sharma 0 (2m, 1b), Amit Verma c Bisla b Sangram 76 (216m, 173b, 2x4), Stuart Binny b Sharma 109 (262m, 181b, 17x4), Sunil Joshi c Mehta b Sangram 0 (3m, 4b), Aditya B Sagar (not out) 8 (37m, 41b), Abhimanyu Mithun lbw Sharma 0 (5m, 4b), S Arvind c Sangram b Malik 1 (11, 12b). Extras (LB-16, B-1, W-4, NB-9) 30. Total (all out, 86.3 overs) 254.

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Pawan), 2-14 (Rahul), 3-33 (Ganesh), 4-33 (Pandey), 5-46 (Uthappa), 6-201 (Amit), 7-201 (Joshi), 8-249 (Binny), 9-249 (Mithun).
Bowling: Vikramjeet Malik 17.3-7-28-2 (w-2, nb-3), Mohinder Sharma 19-8-29-5 (w-1), Rishi Dhiwan 20-3-91-1 (nb-6), Jitender Mehta 15-3-48-0, Kuldeep Dewan 8-1-30-0, Sangram Singh 7-3-11-2 (w-1).
HIMACHAL PRADESH (I Innings): Sangram Singh (batting) 1 (4m, 2b), Hemant Dogra (batting) 0 (4m, 4b). Total (for no loss, 1 over) 1.
Bowling: Aditya B Sagar 1-0-1-0.