JOIN USKarnataka skipper R Vinay Kumar earned a rare double on Wednesday when he became the first captain to grab five wickets and score a hundred in the Ranji Cup final.
Vinay, who had grabbed five for 34 in Tamil Nadu’s first innings, made an unbeaten 105 on Wednesday. Obviously, Vinay was elated. “It is a special feeling to get a hundred and take five wickets in any match, and particularly so in a big occasion like the Ranji Trophy final. I heard that I am the first captain to achieve this feat and only the second player after Vijay Hazare to reach this mark in the final. So, obviously happy about it,” Vinay told Deccan Herald.
Hazare achieved this feat in the 1946-47 final, taking six wickets and scoring 288 for Baroda against Holkar. However, Hazare was not the skipper in that match.
Vinay also explained the decision to bat long. “We wanted to bat as long as possible and keep Tamil Nadu out of the game. At the same time, Irani Cup is coming so we wanted to keep our bowlers fresh too,” he said.
Vinay’s pace partner S Arvind praised his captain. “Vinay’s too good. He is a very positive captain. Whenever I see him on the ground he has the hunger to go for the win, so the whole team moves in a positive way,” said Arvind.
The left-arm pacer also lauded Vinay the bowler.
CM’s pat
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has congratulated Karun Nair for scoring his record-breaking 328.
“We are proud of your performance. I congratulate you on behalf of people of the State,” he stated.