Hyderabad halt Karnataka's run

Hyderabad halt Karnataka's run
VEDAM JAISHANKAR

BANGALORE, APRIL 15: Karnataka, who won the Ranji Trophy thrice in the last four years, knocked themselves out of this year's Ranji Trophy championship at the KSCA Stadium on Saturday. A determined Hyderabad, who last made the final 14 years ago, reduced Karnataka's dreams of yet another title to ashes to set up a title clash with Mumbai.

Hyderabad, at the receiving end in two successive semifinal clashes with Karnataka, turned the tables this time around thanks to a vital 154-run lead. The match ended in a draw after both sides decided to call off the pointless second innings exercise at the fall of century-maker Vanka Pratap's wicket.

Hyderabad, who took command of the match from day one, after being gifted first use of this benign pitch, turned the screws ever so slowly on Karnataka. Their revenge was all the more sweeter as they brought down the champions' colours at the latter's turf.

Rains last evening only postponed Hyderabad's victory celebrations. On Saturday, the last wicket pair of Dodda Ganesh and Mansoor Ali Khan showed how placid this pitch was even on the last day by adding 49 runs. Ganesh carted Kanwaljit Singh for two sixes before another attempted mighty heave against Venkatpathy Raju castled him.

Ganesh (76) made his highest first class score as Karnataka were dismissed for 557 in reply to Hyderabad's 711 for eight declared.

For a while, Karnataka seemed to be chasing a mirage when they attempted to grab quick wickets. But although Hyderabad lost three wickets early, there was no miracle forthcoming as Vanka Pratap batted sensibly to score his century.

Hyderabad skipper Mohammed Azharuddin was pleased with his team's performance.

``For a while we were worried when Karnataka replied with 260-odd for two wickets at the end of the third day. But the bowlers came back splendidly.

``I did not play in Hyderabad's last Ranji Trophy final (1986-87) as I was turning out for India during the tie. I certainly hope we can win this time too. I hope our batting comes good again,'' he said.

Karnataka coach B Raghunath defended the team's decision to field first. ``If we had taken our catches it would have been a different story,'' he said.

``Also, if we had played this match on the original dates we would have had Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid. That would have made a big difference. Without Javagal Srinath also, we were handicapped. But our team fought well.''

Hyderabad, meanwhile, look forward to the final. Their batting could do with some support for Azharuddin and Laxman. The bowling has variety. But the fielding, barring Nandakishore, Azharuddin and to a lesser extent Laxman and Raju, looks mediocre. And that should be a major worry against any strong batting line-up.

Karnataka too have some serious thinking to do. They have lost four matches this season (including the first innings defeat in this drawn encounter). This is hardly the record of a champion side. The side urgently needs a fielding coach and a couple of young replacements

SCOREBOARD

Hyderabad 1st innings: 711 for 8 declared

Karnataka 1st innings (overnight 523 for 9): Ganesh b Raju 76, Mansoor Ali Khan (not out) 7; Extras: (6b, 12lb, 35nb, 3w) 56 Total (all out in 162.4 overs, 671 mins) 557

Fall of wicket: 9-508

Bowling: Narendra Pal Singh 19-2-84-0 (12nb), Fiaz Ahmed 21-1-114-3 (15nb, 2w), Venkatpathy Raju 58.4-16-144-4, Parth Satwalkar 13-2-38-0 (4nb, 1w), Kanwaljit Singh 48-5-143-3 (1nb), Azharuddin 3-0-16-0 (2nb)

Hyderabad 2nd innings: Daniel Manohar c & b Ganesh 19, Nandakishore lbw Prasad 11, Laxman b Bharadwaj 19, Vanka Pratap c (sub) Ramesh b A Vijay 100, Satwalkar c B Akhil b Bharadwaj 6, Riaz Sheik c Prasad b Barrington 25, Fiaz Ahned (not out) 40; Extras: (b4, lb7, nb5) 16 Total (for six wickets decl) 236

Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-32, 3-74, 4-93, 5-137, 6-236

Bowling: Dodda Ganesh 12-1-50-1, Venkatesh Prasad 14-5-29-1, Vijay Bharadwaj 11-3-24-2, Mansoor Ali Khan 8-3-16-0, B Akhil 7-2-16-0, Rowland Barrington 10-1-47-1, A Vijay 8.2-0-36-1, Arun Kumar 2-0-7-0.

Note: Hyd declared after 6.2 mandatory overs. Match called off by mutual consent.