In-form Karnataka holds all the aces
The Hindu
Will target an out-right win over Puducherry which is out of the race
Manish Pandey captains a side whose various arms are functioning in cohesion. Karnataka will target an outright win over Puducherry.
You can take nothing for granted though in cricket and Puducherry, a blend of local talent and some handy outstation players, will want to make a statement although its qualification hopes have evaporated.
The Ranji Trophy game at the SSN ground — the pitch here can be seamer friendly — beginning Thursday promises some interesting cricket.
Ahead of the last round of matches in the league phase, Karnataka is well placed to qualify with nine points; lead against Railways and a victory over Jammu & Kashmir.
It’s a versatile side with depth and options. In batting, R. Samarth, Devdutt Padikkal, Karun Nair, and K.V. Siddarth have all been among the runs.
Karun, in fact, came up with 175 and 71 not out against J & K. The senior batter is pulling his weight.
Karnataka has firepower in bowling. The lanky Prasidh Krishna returned a 10-wicket match haul against J & K with some speedy, incisive bowling with lift. Vidyadhar Patil can move the ball around.