Hegde leads the way as Karnataka take control

Hosts Karnataka’s bowling attack led by Shubhang Hegde (3/28) had Kerala on the mat as the visitors were left struggling at 173 for seven at the end of day one in the South Zone under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy here on Thursday. 

Electing to bat first, Kerala did not have the best of starts losing opener Shiva Ganesh (2) in the sixth over at the score of 16. 

The brief partnership of 26 runs between Ajith Jacob (22) and Arjun Ali (15) was broken by Subhang in the 22nd over claiming Ajith’s wicket. 

In the very next over Karnataka tightened the screws as Dev Padikkal removed Arjun to reduce Kerala to 42 for three. 

Barring Unni Krishnan R (40 n.o.) none of the Kerala batsmen converted their starts as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals, thwarting their progress. 

Shubhang’s second victim was Abdul Bazith (20) while he caught and bowled Afrad Reshab (21) for his third. 

Briefs scores: At Mysore, Kerala: 173/7 in 98 overs (Unni Krishnan R 40; Shubhang Hegde 3-28) vs Karnataka. 

Andhra: 159 all out in 58.4 overs (Sanboyina Tarun 26, Kalikeshwara E 29, Prudhviraj KN 26, Surya Kumar 25) vs Tamil Nadu: 69/3 in 31 overs (R Sonu Yadav 26 n.o., Ritesh Kumar Sharma 27). 

At Mandya, Goa: 91 all out in 50.3 overs (Manthan Khutkar 25, Tunish Sawkar 40; Kamal Chowdhary 4-30, Hitesh Yadav 2-15) vs Hyderabad: 91/4 in 46 overs (B Revanth 40 n.o.; Hitesh Talwar 3-42).