Ranji Trophy | Kaverappa and Vyshak’s spells give Karnataka a glimmer of hope

Karnataka fights back against Vidarbha in Ranji Trophy quarterfinal with inspired bowling and positive intent from openers.

From being down and out, Karnataka clawed back into contention against Vidarbha in their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal here on Monday.

An inspired performance from fast bowlers Vidwath Kaverappa (six for 61) and V. Vyshak (four for 81) lifted Karnataka from gloom to hope. The pacers bowled with heart and fire to dismiss Vidarbha for 196 in the second essay, leaving Karnataka with a 371-run target.

Openers Mayank Agarwal (61 batting, 77b, 9x4, 1x6) and R. Samarth (40, 69b, 5x4) showed positive intent in a 101-run stand. On the final day, the visitor needs another 268 runs, with nine wickets in hand.

This is no walk in the park, but having started the day 234 runs in arrears, Karnataka has momentum in its favour.

Mayank’s men entered the penultimate day determined to make it tough for Vidarbha. Vyshak, Kaverappa and V. Koushik kept a better length than seen in the first essay, and the fielders had a spring in their step. There was the odd verbal joust with batters, who fell deeper and deeper into a shell.

Mild tremors were felt in the Vidarbha camp when Vyshak prised out top-order batters Dhruv Shorey (57) and Yash Rathod (7) in successive overs. When mainstay Karun Nair offered wicketkeeper Sharath Srinivas a catch to leave Vidarbha at 169 for six, the floodgates opened.

The consistent Kaverappa rose to the occasion, scalping 10 wickets for the match. “To stay in the game, we had to get them all out before Tea,” Kaverappa said.