BENGALURU: Reputation was Karnataka’s USP but form belonged to Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final contest. At the end of just under three days of play on Wednesday, the visitors proved the adage right that history counts for little.
UP rode on a sublime batting effort from skipper Karan Sharma to hand the eight-time champions a five-wicket loss. It ended Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy campaign — connoisseurs would say prematurely.
The defeat wouldn’t rankle as much as the way Karnataka surrendered, especially to a side way below the pecking order in terms of experience and exploits.
Karnataka had four international cricketers in their ranks besides two seasoned batsmen but mustered a mere 367 runs across two innings on a surface which demanded patience and application. Karnataka didn’t just fail; they bombed.
The fall began in the first hour of play on Day 3, when Manish Pandey’s side were bundled out for 114 in their second essay. That gave UP a target of 213 on what appeared to be a tricky wicket.
Karnataka would have fancied their chances when UP had their backs to the wall at 114/5. Yet, it wasn’t the first time the home side had the upper hand. Neither was it the first time they squandered the advantage.
Unlike Pandey, whose suicidal run out on Day 2 was the beginning of the end for Karnataka, Karan, inexorably brought UP back into the contest.
Just 23 and three first-class matches old, the all-rounder showed the maturity of a pro as he mixed grit and fine shot selection to make a match-winning 93 (163b, 13x3, 1x6). He also shared an unbroken sixth-wicket association of 99 runs with Prince Yadav (33 n.o). Priyam Garg made a useful contribution of a 60-ball 52 (6x4; 2x6).
A handful of spectators, who scaled the walls to watch the proceedings at the Alur (1) stadium, mirrored Karnataka’s progress. Vociferous to the point of being boisterous in the morning, they slumped into silence as UP marched ahead.
Karan walked into bat when the team was precariously placed at 28/2 with both the openers back in the pavilion.
With Vyshak Vijaykumar and Vidwath Kaverappa operating from either ends and bowling well in tandem, Karan concentrated on keeping his wicket intact and went without a boundary for 14 overs. His first four came in the 29th over when he stepped out against K Gowtham to send the ball straight down.
Ironically, Karan, who was part of the Lucknow Super Giants squad in the IPL, prepared for the knockouts by picking his LSG skipper and Karnataka’s KL Rahul’s brains. “During the IPL, I spoke to Rahul about mindset and how to approach a game,” said the all-rounder.
Even as UP lost a couple of wickets, Karan remained focused as he took 103 balls to bring up his 30. Loose deliveries from the spinners, Shreyas Gopal in particular, helped him pick up pace and his next 62 runs came in 60 balls.
At tea, UP were 158/5, needing 57 runs for victory. Karnataka returned with the intensity of the previous sessions missing, making things easy for UP.
For the vanquished, Vyshak Vijayakumar was the pick among bowlers, returning 3/37.
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