Karnataka look down the barrel

Karnataka’s prolific run-getter this season Vijay Bharadwaj (8) and nightwatchman Anand Katti (0) were holding fort when stumps were drawn for the day, almost an hour behind schedule.

Despite Karnataka’s pathetic catching earlier in the day, they did well to claim the last five Mumbai wickets for 102 runs after they had resumed the day at 365-5.

Vinod Kambli (151: 185b, 284m, 15×4, 1×6) lasted just 10balls this morning before Somasundar claimed him off his own bowling. The Mumbai skipper had, however, put his side on a firm footing besides being involved in a 170-run association for the sixth wicket with school-mate Mandar Phadke.

The 23-year-old Phadke (114: 155b, 220m, 14×4, 1×6) prolonged his impressive display and went on to compile his maiden century in his third first class match. A product of the Shardashram School, Phadke survived a close call when five short of the three-figure mark. He was dropped by DS Ananth at deep mid-wicket off left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi.

Phadke also strung a 52-run alliance for the seventh wicket with Paras Mhambrey (29), who used the long handle to good effect, hoisting Joshi for two sixes.

After Phadke was trapped lbw by Bharadwaj, the Mumbai innings didn’t last long and was terminated 38 minutes before lunch.

Occupation of the crease seemed to be of prime importance for the Karnataka batsmen and they were fairly successful in their game-plan. Opener Arun Kumar(48: 167b, 254m, 7×4) and Fazal Khaleel (49: 100b, 139m, 9×4) thwarted the Mumbai attack, compiling 79 runs for the second wicket.

Khaleel was the more enterprising and executed some flowing drives of medium-pacer Paras Mhambrey. He was severe on Nilesh Kulkarni, lofting him for six boundaries. The lanky Mumbai bowler, however, had the last laugh, trapping Khaleel lbw.

Khaleel’s departure triggered off a collapse. Wicket-keeper Sulakshan Kulkarni’s alacrity ended Arun Kumar’s tenure after substitute Atul Ranade, fielding at forward-short leg, came in the way of the batsman’s sweep shot.

It resulted in the ball ballooning over after striking the fielder’s shin for a diving Sulakshan to complete the formalities. A spectacular catch by Nilesh Kulkarni, lunging towards his right off his bowling follow through, claimed Somasekhar Shiraguppi (0). Earlier, Krishnaraj Sriram (0) had prodded an Abey Kuruvilla delivery into the hands of short-leg fielder Sunil More. These dismissals in the last hour enlivened anotherwise dull day paving for an interesting tussle tomorrow.