Visitors gain first innings points

Set a target of 183-runs to get in 50 overs, Himachal Pradesh were struggling at 34 for two in 16 overs, and at tea time, both the team captains shook hands and settled for a draw, on the final day of the four-day Elite Group Ranji Trophy match played between hosts Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh at the SDNR Wadiyar Platinum Jubilee University Grounds here yesterday.

Himachal Pradesh gained three points from this drawn game while Karnataka took a solitary point for the draw.

Resuming at their overnight score of 191 for three in 67 overs, Karnataka were helped by some excellent batting by youngster Devdutt Padikkal, who was unlucky to miss out on a well-deserved hundred, fell one short of the century (99, 201b, 8×4) trapped in front by Arora.

Skipper Karun Nair was the first man to depart (64, 254m, 160b, 4×4) shouldering arms to a Vineet Arora delivery. Karun Nair was involved in a 152-run fourth wicket partnership with Devdutt Padikkal.

Wicket-keeper batsman B.R. Sharath (42, 116m, 82b, 5×4) played a valuable knock and added 46-runs for the eighth wicket with A. Mithun (22).

Karnataka were bowled out for 296 in 108.3 overs. Medium-pacer Rishi Dhawan impressed with figures of five for 83 for Himachal Pradesh.

Himachal starts badly

Needing 183-runs to win in 50 overs, Himachal Pradesh lost opener Priyanshu Khanduri (4) and Sumeet Verma (11) early to the guile’s of medium-pacer V. Koushik and Himachal Pradesh were reeling at 2/22 at one stage.

Prashant Chopra (12 n.o.) and A.P. Vasisht (2 n.o.) batted dourly and prevented any further collapse, batting for the next ten overs until tea, when the hosts decided to call truce.

Karnataka has now 10 points from three games and will next meet Mumbai in Mumbai (Jan.3 to 6).

Brief Scores

Karnataka: 166 in 67.2 overs & 296 in 108.3 overs (Mayank Agarwal 34, Devdutt Padikkal 99, Karun Nair 64, B.R. Sharath 42, A. Mithun 22, Rishi Dhawan 5/83, Vineet Arora 2/68) drew with Himachal Pradesh: 280 in 107.4 overs & 34 for two in 16 overs (V. Koushik 2/13); Man of the Match: Rishi Dhawan.