Ranji Trophy: Debutant Venkatesh’s 5-wicket haul places Karnataka in driving seat

Speedster M. Venkatesh capped his First Class debut with a nice five-wicket haul (14-3-36-5) as Karnataka established a stranglehold on Uttarakhand on day one of many Ranji Trophy quarterfinal on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday.

Venkatesh discovered a spot within the eleven solely as a result of V. Koushik was recognized with a again spasm on the morning of the match. But the pacer from Mysuru, who hails from a household with a deep curiosity in Carnatic classical music and in addition dabbled in it when younger, buzzed round all innings to assist dismiss Uttarakhand for a paltry 116.

By stumps, Karnataka openers R. Samarth (54 batting, 74b, 7×4) and Mayank Agarwal (65 batting, 86b, 9×4, 1×6) had worn out Uttarakhand’s complete and secured a seven-run lead.

Mayank seemed a tad shaky at the start. But as soon as he received his eye in, there have been pleasant photographs on show, particularly within the arc between mid-on and canopy. Samarth, from the opposite finish, matched his captain, with the prospect of Uttarakhand being buried underneath a mountain of runs on day two very actual.

After electing to subject, Karnataka drew first blood when Uttarakhand skipper Jiwanjot Singh was caught at third slip off Vidwath Kaverappa. Avneesh Sudha and Kunal Chandela tried steadying the ship however Venkatesh struck simply three balls after being launched, forcing Sudha to slash to the deep level.

By lunch, the guests had misplaced half the facet for 67 runs, with the seasoned Aditya Tare, too falling, cleaned up by Kaverappa with an in-swinger.

But the sixth wicket pair of Kunal Chandela (31, 103b) and Akhil Rawat (14, 71b) resisted for almost 20 overs, earlier than Venkatesh supplied the breakthrough once more, dismissing the duo and Abhay Negi in a span of seven balls.

Chandela was Venkatesh’s fifth scalp, out caught by Manish Pandey at first slip, because the 22-year-old joined the likes of Abhimanyu Mithun, H.S. Sharath, Prasidh Krishna and J. Suchith within the checklist of latest Karnataka bowlers to have taken a fifer on First Class debut.