Karnataka stamped their authority on the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal being held here by cleaning up Assam for a paltry 185 before taking a 404-run lead at stumps on day three at the Holkar Cricket Stadium.
Assam, resuming from their overnight score of 58 for three, failed to show resistance with Gokul Sharma (58) scoring the lone half century.
At 168 for four, it seemed Assam will get closer to Karnataka’s 452 but they lost their last six wickets for mere 17 runs.
S Arvind (3/36) and Shreyas Gopal (3/41) shared six wickets between them for Karnataka.
The defending champions were on 137 for two at close of play in their second essay, with R Samarth (54 n.o.) and Robin Uthappa (6 n.o.) at the crease. Opener Lokesh Rahul played brilliantly again to make 73.
Akhil’s ton spurs Mumbai
In Cuttack, opener Akhil Herwadkar struck his maiden first-class century to take Mumbai to 376 for seven in their second innings at stumps on the third day of their last eight match.
Herwadkar made 161 off 272 balls with the help of 25 boundaries and three sixes, while Shreyas Iyer scored 82 off 124 balls (8x4, 2x6) to hand Mumbai 366 runs overall lead with three wickets in hand.
Manan Sharma was the pick of the bowlers for Delhi, picking four wickets for 89 runs.
Maharashtra in semis
In Lahli, Maharashtra sailed into the semifinals after their bowlers delivered the goods to defeat Andhra by 75 runs.
Chasing 176 on the third day, Andhra were folded up for 101, with Anupam Sanklecha being the most successful bowler with figures of four for 19 at the Bansi Lal Stadium.
Sanklecha was well-supported by Samad Fallah (2/33), Domnic Joseph (2/26) and Shrikant Mundhe (2/17).
Earlier, Kedar Jadhav, overnight on 81, was dismissed on the same score on Wednesday morning, but his innings paved way for Maharashtra to have a total to defend.
Sanklecha emerged as one of the most key players of the match, having taken eight wickets. He had figures of four for 45 in the first innings.
