JOIN USDharmendrasinh Jadeja produced a brilliant show to put Saurashtra in commanding situation against Karnataka at the end of second day of their Ranji Trophy Group ‘A’ game here on Friday.
At the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium, the left-arm spinner wreaked havoc, bagging 7/103, as the visitors were skittled out for 217. Saurashtra, who had posted 316 in their first innings, are ahead by 99 runs with two days remaining.
On a surface that offered significant turn, Dharmendrasinh and off-spinner Kamlesh Makwana (2/58) made merry. The hosts, resuming from 288 for nine, added 28 runs before Suchith dismissed Makwana (46) to finish with 6/111.
Karnataka were helped by quality knocks from Karun Nair (63, 83b, 11x4) and D Nischal (58, 179b, 3x4, 1x6) but the eight-time champions needed at least one batsman to essay a big innings.
R Vinay Kumar’s men began their response in disastrous fashion. R Samarth (15) and Devdutt Padikkal (3) fell early as Dharmendrasinh assumed control of the proceedings.
The Nair-Nischal saw off the dangerous first session and batted with solid technique. Nischal battled it out with fine defensive technique while Nair looked for scoring opportunities. Makwana handed Saurashtra the big wicket, rattling Nair’s stumps. With the right-hander’s departure, pressure mounted on Karnataka once again.
Karnataka had depth but for the first time in the season, their batting unit failed to put up a fight. Their lower order found it hard to tackle the turning track and wickets fell in regular intervals.
In the absence of their star player Ravindra Jadeja, Dharmendrasinh said he was happy to step up for his side.
“People keep asking me if I am Ravindra’s younger brother. Because we share the same last name and we both bowl left-arm spin. It’s quite funny and I am little used to this question. I tell people that we aren’t related in any way. But whenever he is here with Saurashtra, he helps me a lot with his inputs,” said Dharmendrasinh.