JOIN USDeshpande powers Karnataka
Pavan Deshpande made a stroke-filled 70 on his first-class debut to spur Karnataka to a position of strength against Maharashtra at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in the Ranji Trophy Group B contest on Thursday.
The 26-year-old, who had scored aplenty in the KSCA Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial tournament this season, showed little discomfort in the transition. The slowing surface and bright sun made the lengths easier to pick. And with Maharashtra seamers erring in their lines, Karnataka’s way to domination was cleared.
Beginning the day at 67/1, Karnataka kept Maharashtra on field the whole day, and progressed to a first innings total of 313/9. Captain R Vinay Kumar, with a quick 36 off 47 balls, and S Aravind (1) were at the crease. When bad light stopped play, Karnataka held a significant first innings lead of 150.
Karnataka prospered on regular partnerships, an aspect that had been missing in their previous two ties. The overnight pair of R Samarth and Kaunain Abbas extended their second-wicket partnership to 101. Both safely negotiated the threat of challenging morning conditions and got the ball rolling for Karnataka. The conditions which looked suitable for swing and seam didn’t offer nearly as much as Maharashtra would have hoped.
Both Samarth and Abbas reached the 50-figure mark before departing in quick succession. Samarth dragged on Anupam Sanklecha while Abbas holed out to mid-on. Deshpande joined forces with Stuart Binny to stitch a formidable 80-run stand for the fourth wicket. The composure of Deshpande stood out. He, though, was lucky when Kedar Jadhav dropped a regulation catch at slips off Pradeep Dadhe, the bowler Deshpande later admitted troubled him the most. He was on 22 that time.
Binny forced the pace and runs piled up for Karnataka steadily. Binny was trapped leg-before by Sayyed, with the the all-rounder caught off-guard by a delivery that kept low.
Deshpande then added another 52 runs with wicket-keeper batsman CM Gautam for the fifth wicket. The rookie had looked poised for a century before failing to read off-spinner Chirag Khurana’s delivery that snuck in to disturb his bails.
David Mathias, replacing Manish Pandey, lasted 23 balls, to bring Vinay to the crease. The captain, with his five-wicket haul on Wednesday, had surpassed Madan Lal’s record of 351 wickets to become the leading fast bowler, with 353 wickets, in Ranji Trophy. He showed he was competent with the bat too by steadfastly holding one end. He will have a crucial role to play with the new ball on Friday. The stage is set for Karnataka to go for the kill.