Karnataka thrash defending champions Mumbai

Namma Samarth, Dubey, Karun & Rohan shine with inspirational performances

Mohammed Rumman Khan | NT

Pravin Dube’s four for 29 followed by Ravikumar Samarth’s unbeaten 96 helped Karnataka thrash defending champions Mumbai by 7 wickets in an Elite Group B fixture of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 at the KCA ground, Mangalapuram, on Saturday.

After winning the toss, defending champions Mumbai opted to bat as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Armaan Jaffer stitched a solid 95-run stand. However, the momentum broke soon after Jaffer’s departure. Suryakumar Yadav could score only 8 runs before Yashasvi fell after scoring 91-ball 61. Pravin Dubey took four wickets including that of Suryakumar. Hardik Tamore scored 46 unbeaten runs to take Mumbai past the 200-run mark.

In reply, Ravikumar Samarth and Rohan Kadam too provided a solid start to Karnataka by stitching 95 runs for the opening wicket before Tanush Kotian removed Rohan Kadam at the score of 44. Samarth R stood firmly at one end while Mumbai picked two more quick wickets in Siddharth K and skipper Manish Pandey. Samarth was in fine form and in the company of Karun Nair, dealt with the Mumbai attack with cautious aggression as runs came in a good flow.

With not many runs on the board, Mumbai failed to put pressure, and in the end, Karun Nair unbeaten 39 and Samarth R guided the side home with 7 wickets in hand.

Karnataka needed this win badly in their pocket after being completely outdone in their last game against Tamil Nadu as they were bowled out for a mere 122 which was chased in only 28 overs. They would like to keep this winning momentum forward when they face Baroda today.