Maharashtra out after loss to Karnataka

Maharashtra crashed out of the Colonel CK Nayudu trophy as the u-25 team was thrashed by Karnataka in the quarterfinal played at Ratnagiri. Maharashtra, who had a stellar qualification campaign winning three of their four games outright, were "clinically outplayed" by Karnataka, according to coach Shaun Williams. Karnataka won the game in an emphatic fashion, beating Maharashtra by 10 wickets.

Maharashtra, who won the toss and elected to bat, did not make the best of starts on day one with both their openers falling cheaply. Avdoot Dandekar, who till now had been one of Maharashtra's most prolific batsmen, could only manage a scratchy 19 in the first innings and a laborious 10 runs in the second innings. Prayag Bhati, who was part of the Maharashtra Ranji squad for the game against Vidarbha, was the only bright spot for the state as he battled his way to 77 runs in the first innings. The rest of the Maharashtra batsmen folded without posing any challenge and the team's first innings total of 207 was never going to be enough on the flat Ratnagiri track.

Karnataka piled on 452 runs in their first innings, effectively sealing the match by taking the all-important first innings lead. Karun Nair scored an aggressive ton for Karnataka, slamming 125 runs with the help of 15 boundaries and two sixes. K R Kapoor gave Nair good company, compiling a sedate 89 runs to take the match beyond Maharashtra's grasp.

Maharashtra, who had to wipe off the 245-run first innings deficit, did not have the best of starts to their second essay. Maharashtra's top four batsmen returned with only 56 runs on board and it was again Bhati (62) who led the rescue act, stitching a 91-run partnership with Rahul Tripathi (40) to make the score look a bit respectable. Azhar Ansari and Ganesh Gaikwad overhauled the 245-run lead with some lusty blows but were unable to set Karnataka a competitive target as the innings folded up with 265 runs on board leaving Karnataka to get 21 runs for an outright victory.

... contd.

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