Karnataka hit back to stay in the hunt

Delhi ride on Awanas show to take innings lead

Delhi’s Parvinder Awana celebrated his inclusion into the Indian squad with a fine half-century to fetch his team the first innings lead even as Karnataka fought back gamely on the second day of their Group ‘B’ Ranji Trophy match at the M Chinnaswamy stadium on Sunday.

A day after scalping his seventh five-wicket haul in the domestic tournament, the pacer was selected as part of the Indian squad for the fourth Test against England in Nagpur from December 13. Almost as if to say the selectors had made the right choice, the well-built seamer played an innings mixed with intent and luck to send Karnataka on a leather hunt to prove his all-round prowess.

The 26-year-old’s eye-catching 74, which came off 61 balls and was studded with 13 fours and a couple of sixes, carried Delhi, overnight 44 for two, to 258 all out -- a lead of 66. The hosts then came up with an improved batting display in the second innings to wipe off that deficit, reaching 136 without loss to end day two with their noses in front.

Robin Uthappa (77 runs, 160 minutes, 113 balls, 12x4) and KL Rahul (53, 160m, 74b, 9x4) strung together Karnataka’s highest opening partnership this season while giving them a 70-run lead with two days to go.

While Karnataka’s bowlers sliced through most of Delhi’s batting line-up with HS Sharath leading the way with a four-wicket haul, the hosts could do very little about Awana and his pyrotechnics. Awana came in at number nine with Delhi in a spot of bother (144 for seven) —  Karnataka’s bowlers were sniffing an innings lead and three crucial points in case the match were to end in a draw.

Taking guard alongside Sumit Narwal (29) a few overs before lunch, Awana made his intentions clear when he struck a powerful six over Sharath’s head. Narwal and Awana stitched together a 62-run partnership during the course of which they helped Delhi past Karnataka’s first innings score.

After Appanna got rid of Narwal and Ashish Nehra in quick succession, Awana was joined by Vikas Mishra at the middle with Delhi 16 runs ahead. While Vikas (6) stuck around, Awana went all out against Karnataka’s bowlers, who were by now irritated with their inability to complete the formalities.

Following a six off KP Appanna, Awana struck two consecutive fours off Vinay to reach his half-century. Riding in the same vein, he struck Mithun for three boundaries in the next over before edging a ball from Vinay to ’keeper CM Gautam, who finished with six catches in an innings.

Karnataka openers were positive as they wiped out Delhi’s lead quickly. Uthappa finally seemed to have woken up from slumber as he lashed out at Delhi’s bowling attack while Rahul too was stylishly destructive. Though their attacking style of play was not without its share of risk — Uthappa was dropped on 64 by Punit Bisht and Rahul was put down by a diving Vaibhav Rawal on 44 at second slip — coach J Arun Kumar will not be too bothered as his philosophy of positive cricket materialised at last.