After batting brilliance with a century and five fifties to put J&K in commanding position, the J&K pacers on the third day of the play today led the victory run with Aquib Nabi spearheading the attack taking three off the five wickets lost by the champion side of Karnataka for 220 in 69 overs play today at KSCA Stadium,Hubli.
With five wickets remaining, Karnataka still trail by 364 runs in the all important game of Ranji Trophy final. The highlight of the day was dismissal of danger man, India cricketer, K L Rahul, who was caught behind off Aquib Nabi at 13 on a review which ruled out the decision of the field umpire. The Rahul dismissal brought in jubilations in the J&K team.
However, opener, Mayank Agarawal turned out to be the savour for struggling Karnataka, who faced with utmost courage the J&K pace attack from trio of Aquib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh Charak and Sunil Kumar thereby built up the innings with his unbeaten 130 runs made with the help of 17 boundaries spread all around the field.
The J&K pacers were so dominant that Karnataka openers, K L Rahul and Mayank Agarawal could not open the account in the first five overs of the play. Soon after the breakthrough byAquib, young Sunil Kumar took another important wicket of Skipper Devdutt Padikkal, who was back to the pavilion at 11 with team total of 56 in 16.1 overs.
It was followed by two wickets by Aquib on consecutive delivers which caused the caused the maximum damage to Karnataka reducing thee side to 57 for four. Aquib, who took his 58th wicket of the season, virtually advanced the J&K victory run. It was followed by a valuable 105 runs partnership between Shreyas and Mayank. This time, Yudhvir brought in the breakthrough taking Shreyas (lbw) wicket.
Earlier, J&K resumed from overnight score of 527 for six and the whole side bowled out for 584 runs with Yudhvir adding quick 38 (off 28 balls) hitting two sixes and three boundaries.
India bowler, M Prasidh was the most successful bowler with five wickets from Karnataka.
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