Ranji Trophy | Mohsin bowls Karnataka to an innings victory

Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy marketing campaign was again on monitor after it crushed Kerala by an innings and 164 runs on the KCA Stadium, Mangalapuram, close to right here on Tuesday.

Proper-arm off-spinner Mohsin Khan’s maiden five-wicket haul (six for 29) inflicted a demoralising defeat on the host after pacer Vidwath Kaverappa struck telling blows with the brand new ball within the morning.

Mohsin’s nagging accuracy and delicate variations of size proved to be greater than a handful for the Kerala batters on a wicket of variable bounce. Final-man Eden Apple Tom (39 not out off 68 balls), who batted with an injured finger, and debutant M.U. Harikrishnan (six off 94 balls) delayed Karnataka’s victory because the Tenth-wicket stand consumed practically 23 overs and added 44 runs.

Kaverappa’s double strike in his first over set the template for the win. The makeshift opener M.D. Nidheesh (9) edged to Karun Nair within the slips and Akshay Chandran departed for a golden duck, bowled off an inswinger, as Kerala slipped to 19 for 2.

Captain Mohammed Azharuddeen began positively, pulling Kaverappa over the sq. leg for a six and adopted it up with a fluent cowl drive for a boundary. However Azharuddeen (15) did not experience the bounce from a Shikhar Shetty supply and was snapped up by wicketkeeper Krishnan Shrijith.

Opener Krishna Prasad and Ahammed Imran figured in a 57-run stand for the fourth wicket, a short interval which raised hopes of a Kerala fightback. Nonetheless, Mohsin dismissed each Krishna Prasad (33) and Imran (23) in fast succession to depart Kerala tottering at 106 for 5.

B. Aparajith and Sachin Child performed the spinners with warning however Mohsin ended the partnership earlier than it prospered. Mohsin foxed Child (12) with a faster supply because the batter was bowled, making an attempt to play a sq. reduce off the again foot. One other faster supply breached Shoun Roger’s defences to depart Kerala on the brink. Nonetheless, the plucky present by the tailenders delayed the inevitable within the prolonged post-lunch session.

The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: 586 for 5 decl.

Kerala — 1st innings: 238.

Kerala — 2nd innings: Krishna Prasad b Mohsin 33, M.D. Nidheesh c Karun b Kaverappa 9, Akshay Chandran b Kaverappa 0, Mohammed Azharuddeen c Shrijith b Shikhar 15, Ahammed Imran c & b Mohsin 23, B. Aparajith lbw b Mohsin 19, Sachin Child b Mohsin 12, Shoun Roger b Mohsin 0, Hari Krishnan lbw b Mohsin 6, Vaisakh Chandran c Karun b Shreyas 4, Eden Apple Tom (not out) 39; Extras: (b-12, lb-12): 24; Whole (in 79.3 overs): 184.

Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-19, 3-40, 4-97, 5-106, 6-130, 7-130, 8-135, 9-140.

Karnataka bowling: Kaverappa 13-4-28-2 Vyshak 10-3-27-0, Shikhar 13-2-32-1 Shreyas 20-7-44-1, Mohsin 23.3-14-29-6.