Karnataka takes lead on back of superb batting show

Mayank Agarwal missed out on century on his debut but Karnataka produced a splendid batting effort to take a vital 60-run first innings against Jharkhand in their Ranji Trophy Group A match here today.

Opener Mayank, who was 63 overnight, scored 90 runs before being castled by paceman Rahul Shukla.

However, the foundation laid by him was well capitalised by other batsmen as Manish Pandey (52), C M Gautam (42), Ganesh Satish (63) and R Vinay Kumar (55 not out) all batted in superb fashion.

The hosts declared their innings 424 for seven and gave six overs to rival to negotiate before the close of third day's play at Gangotri Glades.

Jharkhand were four for no loss with Bhavik Thaker and Akash Verma batting on two runs each.

Mayank smashed 12 boundaries and a six in 144 balls he faced. He put on a crucial 99-run partnership for the second wicket with fellow overnight Kunal Kapoor (49).
Kapoor was scalped by slow left-arm orthodox Shahbaz Nadeem, who had the batsman caught behind.

Mayank too departed three overs later off Shukla. Pandey (52) and Gautam (42) steadied the innings by putting on 69-run stand for fourth wicket.

Shukla struck two quick blows, sending Gautam and all-rounder Stuart Binny (2), leaving Karnataka reeling at 249 for five.

But Pandey and Ganesh Satish came to the hosts' rescue with a vital 65-run stand for sixth wicket.

Pandey later was caught by SS Quadri off the bowling of India discard Varun Aaron.
However, Ganesh (63) continued to play well and found able companion in captain Vinay Kumar to take the hosts to 372, before he was caught by Ishank Jaggi off Nadeem.

Soon after Vinay completed his half-century and had Abhimanyu Mithun (30 not out) at the crease, Karnataka declared the innings.