The incessant drizzle did not stop and play for the day was finally called off at 4.30 p.m. Karnataka were 321 for 7, 246 runs ahead.

The visitors had taken a 75-run lead after dismissing Karnataka in the first innings for 304.

The umpires, SK Sharma (Mumbai) and Francis Gomes (Calcutta) inspected the ground conditions at 4.30 p.m., the scheduled close when the rains let up. There being no chance of improvement, they decided to call off play.

Earlier in the day, Madhya Pradesh medium pacer JP Yadav, in his eight-over spell, caused havoc by claiming three quick wickets before the eighth wicket pair of VS Thilak Naidu and Anand Yalvigi stemmed the rot with an unbroken 44-run partnership.

Whenthe two overnight not out batsmen, J Arun Kumar and Vijay Bharadwaj, walked out this morning, rain clouds were already hovering over the ground. The situation warranted the batsmen to throw their bat about in search of quick runs.

Arun duly welcomed Rajesh Chauhan with a six over long on off the second ball of the day.

The third wicket pair, worth 153 overnight, added 206 runs before being separated. Bharadwaj, playing forward defensively, edged to Pandit, the lone slip. Bharadwaj's contribution in the 206-run third wicket stand was worth 75 (249 mins, 186 balls, 5 fours).

Bharadwaj thus ended the season with a National record of 1280 runs. He also crossed the 3000-run mark in his 38th Ranji Trophy match. Bharadwaj's dismissal triggered a collapse as Karnataka lost four wickets in a matter of 16 runs.

Arun Kumar, who was nearing his personal best (151 against Saurashtra), was out for a brilliant 147 (358m, 250b, 9x4). Trying to run the ball to third man, he edged to wicket-keeper CP Sahu. The 'keeperwas not agile enough to take the simple catch. The very next ball was an action replay. This time, CP Sahu did not miss.

Majithia from the other end scalped A Vijay (5). Yadav in his next over, removed Karnataka captain Sunil Joshi (1) and B Akhil (0) in a space of three deliveries which threatened an early end to the home team's innings.

Karnataka, armed with a 246-run lead, can afford to declare their innings first thing on the last morning and try and force the issue in their favour. That is if the heavens are on the home team's side.

Scoreboard

Karnataka (1st innings): 304

Madhya Pradesh (1st innings): 379

Karnataka (2nd innings, overnight 209-2): S Somasundar c CP Sahu b Hirwani 25, J Arun Kumar c CP Sahu b Yadav 147, S Shiraguppi c Abbas Ali b Chauhan 3, Vijay Bharadwaj c Pandit b Majithia 75, A Vijay c CP Sahu b Majithia 5, Thilak Naidu batting 21, S Joshi c CP Sahu b Yadav 1, B Akhil c CP Sahu b Yadav 0, A Yalvigi batting 21. Extras (b5, lb13, nb3, w2): 23.

Total (forseven wickets in 105 overs, 444 mins) 321.

Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-56, 3-262, 4-276, 5-276, 6-277, 7-277.

Bowling: Sodhi 14-2-47-0, Yadav 22-7-45-3 (w2), Majithia 28-8-71-2, Chauhan 21-2-69-1, Hirwani 20-1-71-1 (nb-3).