<p>Karnataka, with seven wickets in hand, require 139 runs against Rajasthan to book their place in the Ranji Trophy semifinal. On paper, they appear the better-placed side but the enormity of the contest tells a different story. </p>.<p>There is inevitable pressure on both sides in a knockout game. In Karnataka’s case, their batting mainstay Karun Nair has very little to show in the runs column. Three days into the last-eight contest here at the Chinnaswamy stadium, the uneven nature of the pitch has forced the batsmen to grind it out in the middle.</p>.<p>On Friday, when Karnataka resume from 45/3, an absorbing contest is on cards. Nair (18 not out) and night-watchman Ronit More (5 not out) will resume proceedings for the hosts. Despite the target looking within their reach, Karnataka, who stumbled in the knockouts – their five-run defeat to Vidarbha in the semifinal last season is still fresh in the memory – will have to fight their inner demons to cross the finish line. </p>.<p>Earlier, Rajasthan rode on valuable contributions from skipper Mahipal Lomror (42), Robin Bist (44) and Chetan Bist (33) to post 222 all out and set a tricky target of 184 runs. Aniket Choudhary then picked D Nischal (1) and K V Siddharth (5) in his brilliant first spell of 6-0-9-2. In the penultimate over of the day, Rajasthan landed a severe blow on their opponents. Samarth (16) was trapped in front by left-arm spinner Lomror off a ball that kept low. </p>.<p>For Rajasthan, not a single batsman produced an eye-catchy effort. But unlike their first-innings display, the visitors weren’t irresponsible in their approach. Chetan and Lomror were composed in their 72-run stand. Rajasthan nearly took complete honours in the first session. But Gowtham’s two-wicket burst and Ronit More’s dismissal of Ashok Menaria (4) gave Karnataka the momentum going into the post-lunch session.</p>.<p>Rajasthan were helped by another useful partnership of 63 between Salman Khan (25) and Robin Bist. The lead began to soar and Karnataka let the frustration affect their fielding. A couple of over-throws and miss-fields in the deep aided Rajasthan to stay in control. A down-and-out Karnataka side clawed back into the game courtesy Shreyas (3/52). He had Robin Bist stumped and then removed Salman leg before wicket in the 56thover. With two set batsmen back in the hut, Rajasthan’s confidence was crushed.</p>.<p>“We would have loved to be two down at the end of day’s play. Unfortunately we lost Samarth also. I don’t think the pitch will create an issue. There is definitely a bit of wear and tear. Couple of balls are keeping low. But there is nothing to worry,” said Gowtham, who bagged four for 54. </p>.<p>Karnataka will also be fretting about wicketkeeper BR Sharath’s injury. The youngster hurt his finger while collecting a Siddharth delivery and walked off the field. Two times this season, Karnataka’s effort batting fourth has been dismal. While they avoided a scare and eked out a draw against Vidarbha in the season opener, they suffered an 87-run defeat chasing a 179-run target against Saurashtra.</p>.<p>On Friday, the eight-time champions would want to script a better tale.</p>
<p>Karnataka, with seven wickets in hand, require 139 runs against Rajasthan to book their place in the Ranji Trophy semifinal. On paper, they appear the better-placed side but the enormity of the contest tells a different story. </p>.<p>There is inevitable pressure on both sides in a knockout game. In Karnataka’s case, their batting mainstay Karun Nair has very little to show in the runs column. Three days into the last-eight contest here at the Chinnaswamy stadium, the uneven nature of the pitch has forced the batsmen to grind it out in the middle.</p>.<p>On Friday, when Karnataka resume from 45/3, an absorbing contest is on cards. Nair (18 not out) and night-watchman Ronit More (5 not out) will resume proceedings for the hosts. Despite the target looking within their reach, Karnataka, who stumbled in the knockouts – their five-run defeat to Vidarbha in the semifinal last season is still fresh in the memory – will have to fight their inner demons to cross the finish line. </p>.<p>Earlier, Rajasthan rode on valuable contributions from skipper Mahipal Lomror (42), Robin Bist (44) and Chetan Bist (33) to post 222 all out and set a tricky target of 184 runs. Aniket Choudhary then picked D Nischal (1) and K V Siddharth (5) in his brilliant first spell of 6-0-9-2. In the penultimate over of the day, Rajasthan landed a severe blow on their opponents. Samarth (16) was trapped in front by left-arm spinner Lomror off a ball that kept low. </p>.<p>For Rajasthan, not a single batsman produced an eye-catchy effort. But unlike their first-innings display, the visitors weren’t irresponsible in their approach. Chetan and Lomror were composed in their 72-run stand. Rajasthan nearly took complete honours in the first session. But Gowtham’s two-wicket burst and Ronit More’s dismissal of Ashok Menaria (4) gave Karnataka the momentum going into the post-lunch session.</p>.<p>Rajasthan were helped by another useful partnership of 63 between Salman Khan (25) and Robin Bist. The lead began to soar and Karnataka let the frustration affect their fielding. A couple of over-throws and miss-fields in the deep aided Rajasthan to stay in control. A down-and-out Karnataka side clawed back into the game courtesy Shreyas (3/52). He had Robin Bist stumped and then removed Salman leg before wicket in the 56thover. With two set batsmen back in the hut, Rajasthan’s confidence was crushed.</p>.<p>“We would have loved to be two down at the end of day’s play. Unfortunately we lost Samarth also. I don’t think the pitch will create an issue. There is definitely a bit of wear and tear. Couple of balls are keeping low. But there is nothing to worry,” said Gowtham, who bagged four for 54. </p>.<p>Karnataka will also be fretting about wicketkeeper BR Sharath’s injury. The youngster hurt his finger while collecting a Siddharth delivery and walked off the field. Two times this season, Karnataka’s effort batting fourth has been dismal. While they avoided a scare and eked out a draw against Vidarbha in the season opener, they suffered an 87-run defeat chasing a 179-run target against Saurashtra.</p>.<p>On Friday, the eight-time champions would want to script a better tale.</p>
