Ranji Trophy: Ready for an encore

Their last outright loss in a Ranji Trophy match came way back in November 2012. They’ve not only been nearly invincible since then, they have also packed off opposition teams without much fuss, and at times with disdain. And they looked all set to do that after rubbishing the Mumbai batting line-up and blowing them away for 44 in the first innings.

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Mumbai did threaten to put them in a spot second time around. At least, they did for a while on the third day. But going into Day Four, the writing was always on the wall, especially after Abhishek Nayar didn’t show up following his dramatic heroics the previous evening.

Three wickets is all Vinay’s men needed. And Abhimanyu Mithun and Shreyas Gopal ensured there were no dramas, nipping out the tail-enders before Sreenath Aravind got the final wicket of overnight batsman Siddhesh Lad, who to his credit, made the most of the morning’s play to finish with 74. The victory-margin was 112 runs, but it didn’t quite matter. What did was the supremacy that they displayed over the multiple-time champions for a major part of their clash in Bengaluru.

VINAY KUMAR, THE STAR

Karnataka’s run to the title after a 15-year gap last season was championed by a number of heroes putting up their hands through the campaign. It’s been similar this time around as well, even if Robin Uthappa with 912 runs might stand head and shoulders above the rest.
But it’s been Vinay Kumar who’s been the real star again, like he was in the first innings when he skittled Mumbai out with a six-wicket haul. And how he will hope that this form continues for 10 more days as his team tries to retain the trophy at the Wankhede Stadium.

Being knocked out in the semi-final wasn’t the worst outcome for Mumbai, even if they are used to going all the way once they get here. Their journey to the business end of the competition was riddled with obstacles, and with three rounds to go in the league stages, the odds were stacked against the inexperienced Mumbai outfit, as they battled estranged captains and a fickle middle-order. They can also take great pride in having seen off a star-studded Delhi outfit in alien conditions in the quarterfinals. The best ode to their season was the fact that many actually thought they could chase down 445 for an improbable win against Karnataka’s in-form attack.

With an average age of 23, and a dressing-room that is far from settled, it has been a tough ride for coach Pravin Amre over the last few months, but he’s not complaining. In fact he’s looking forward to the future with more conviction than apprehension.

“The way we fought back was very impressive. It was probably the first time a team got Karnataka all out for 200. They are a strong side in the tournament but our boys shower character. The 44 all out in the first innings wasn’t expected,” said Amre. But the former India batsman did lament about a few decisions going against the visitors, insisting that the BCCI should take note of improving the level of umpiring.

“Robin Uthappa was plumb to Thakur and then Tare didn’t edge but he was given out. Those decisions changed the game. Even today Balwinder Sandhu got a thick edge but umpire gave him lbw,” Amre explained.

BRIEF SCORES: Karnataka 202 (Uthappa 68, Thakur 4-61) and 286 (Mithun 89, Samarth 58, Thakur 4-69, Sandhu 3-45) beat Mumbai 44 (Vinay Kumar 6-20) and 332 (Tare 98,Lad 74, Mithun 4-69) by 112 runs.