Paceman HS Sharath polished off the tail while centurion Abhishek Reddy and Pavan Deshpande forged a big partnership to put KSCA XI in control of their semifinal against Vidarbha Cricket Association in the Dr (capt) K Thimmappaiah memorial all-India invitational tournament here at the M Chinnaswamy stadium on Sunday.

Resuming at their overnight score of 311 for six, Vidarbha could add just 41 runs more as Sharath cleaned them up with figures of 4/76. Chasing visitors’ 352 all out in 102.2 overs, KSCA finished the second day’s play on a strong 238 for one in 74.5 overs.

Opener Reddy scored his second consecutive century of the tournament with a patient 116 (242b, 16x4, 2x6) while one-drop Deshpande was unbeaten on 93. Reddy and Deshpande put on 176 runs between them to lay a solid foundation, ensuring that the hosts were just 114 runs away from taking the crucial first-innings lead. 
 
Bowlers dominate

While the batsmen enjoyed their time in the middle at the Chinnaswamy, it was the bowlers who held sway over the proceedings in the second semifinal between Haryana and Dr DY Patil Academy at the Alur (2) ground.

While 15 wickets fell on Saturday’s opening day, Sunday saw 14 wickets tumble in a match of fluctuating fortunes.

Overnight 104/5, in reply to Haryana’s 221 all out, DY Patil posted 199 before being dismissed. Jayant Yadav added two more wickets to his tally on the day for a rich haul of 7/75.

Haryana, however, squandered the advantage with their batting coming a cropper once again, slipping to 129/9 in 58 overs. Iqbal Abdulla (4/46) and Swapnil Singh (3/40) claimed the bowling spoils. Haryana now lead by 151 runs with a wicket in hand.

Brief scores: M Chinnaswamy Stadium: Vidarbha Cricket Association (O/n: 311/6): 352 all out in 102.2 overs (Ravi Jangid 56, Aditya Sarvate 33; S Arvind 2-48, HS Sharath 4-76) KSCA XI: 238/1 in 74.5 overs (Abhishek Reddy 116, Pavan Deshpande 93 n.o.).

At Alur (2): Haryana Cricket Association: 221 all out and 129/9 in 58 overs (Yuzvendra Chahal 34; Iqbal Abdullah 4-46, Swapnil Singh 3-40) vs Dr DY Patil Academy (O/n: 104/5): 199 all out in 61.5 overs (Sarvesh Damle 37, Swapnil Singh 54; Jayant Yadav 7-75, Harshal Patel 2-48).