Mysore may host Ranji matches soon

Speaking at the inauguration of Vikram Premier League (VPL) - 2011 here on Sunday, the former Indian cricketer said Ranji would be held in Karnataka. But the final list of stadiums where the matches would be held is yet to be decided.

While recalling that several Ranji matches were held at Gangothri Glades including a final, he was optimistic that several first class matches would be held in the state.

He said an attempt is being made to take cricket to rural areas. For this stadiums are being developed in Mysore, Belgaum, Shimoga, Hassan and Hubli.

KSCA is planning to conduct four-day and five-day matches to improve the quality of cricketers.

He bemoaned the lack of young players with the sound technique of international cricketers such as G R Vishwanath and Rahul Dravid.

In a match between Vikram Hospital and Columbia Asia Hospital at the Vikram Premier League (VPL) - 2011, the hosts won by a huge margin of 82 runs.

Deciding to bat first, Vikram Hospital scored 140 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Dr Vikrama scored a brilliant half century and was ably supported by Dr Harish Dharla. In reply, Columbia Asia lost all 10 wickets in 14 overs and scored only 58 runs. Renukes and Ramkrishna bagged three wickets each for the hosts.

In the second match between JSS Dental College and JSS Ayurveda College, the former team won by 68 runs.

JSS Ayurveda College had earlier won the toss and elected to field. JSS Dental College put up a modest target of 136 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.
In reply, JSS Ayurveda were all out for 68 runs in 16.3 overs.

Poor batting

Venkatesh Prasad attributed the dismal performance of the Indian cricket team in the recent test series against England to the horrendous batting performance. He said it wasn’t proper to blame the bowlers only. The country boasts of a powerful batting line-up, but its batsmen were struggling to put up scores even in the range of 300 and 350 runs, he added.