Railways uses Karnataka for a dry run

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 25. The Railways' batsmen made it a highly forgettable `Ugadi' (New Year Day) for the Karnataka team on Sunday.

Having already taken a firm grip on the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal, Railways used the services of hapless Karnataka bowlers on the fourth day to get some batting practice ahead of the semifinal against host Punjab next month.

In the process, Railways reached 385 for six in its second innings - an overall lead of 599 - at the end of the penultimate day at the Karnail Singh Stadium here. If at all Railways decides to declare early on Monday, it will be aimed at giving its bowlers an opportunity to try out a few things. By the looks of it, Railways does not appear too desperate for an outright victory.

Despite losing five wickets in the space of 88 runs, Railways did not allow Karnataka many more moments to celebrate during the day's play. The sixth-wicket stand of 136 runs, between Shriyas Khanolkar, who scored a career-best 90 and Yere Goud, unbeaten on 78, prolonged Karnataka's agony.

Khanolkar had scored 77 in his debut against Maharashtra last fortnight and 64 in the first innings on Friday. Today, he continued his assault on the Karnataka bowlers and cracked a six and 13 boundaries. Playing freely, Khanolkar punished the spinners with contempt but just when he looked good to reach his first century in the championship, he was caught at gully.

In comparison, Goud was far more circumspect. This experienced batsman, who played just three matches in as many years for Karnataka before joining Railways six seasons ago, was happy to graft for runs during his 324-minute stay today. Though Goud hit nine boundaries, it was Khanolkar who dominated their partnership. Having scored his career-best 221 in the previous match against Maharashtra, Goud is now aiming to notch a century against his `home' state. Keeping him company was the centurian of the first innings, Santosh Sahu.

Earlier in the day, Dodda Ganesh struck twice in quick succession and removed Amit Pagnis and Sanjay Bangar. After the openers had enlarged their overnight stand of 106 to 131, Pagnis failed to read a well-concealed `slower' delivery and was trapped leg- before. A similar delivery rattled Bangar's stumps, too.

Tejinder Pal Singh, who scored an attractive 80 in the first innings, did not last long and fell leg-before to off- spinner Anand Yalvigi. After lunch, Abhay Sharma and Raja Ali, too, did not trouble Karnataka much. Abhay Sharma offered a simple catch in the slip while Raja Ali departed following a superb catch by Rowland Barrington at mid-wicket.

On Monday, barring an outside chance of an outright victory for Railways, the only other point of interest will be whether Goud manages to get to his century. It remains to be seen how Karnataka fights to salvage some pride.

The scores:

Railways - 1st innings: 451.

Karnataka - 1st innings: 237.

Railways - 2nd innings: Amit Pagnis lbw b Ganesh 68, Sanjay Bangar b Ganesh 59, Tejinder Pal Singh lbw b Yalvigi 17, Yere Goud (batting) 78, Abhay Sharma c Bharadwaj b Vadeyaraj 14, Raja Ali c Barrington b Yalvigi 13, Shriyas Khanolkar c Barrington b Ganesh 90, Santosh Sahu (batting) 18, Extras (b-7, lb-8, nb-11, w-2) 28, Total (for six wickets) 385.

Fall of wickets: 1-131, 2-138, 3-169, 4- 192, 5-219, 6-355.

Karnataka bowling: Dodda Ganesh 19-4-63- 3, B. Akhil 8-1-39-0, Vijay Bharadwaj 26-4-72-0, Santosh Vadeyaraj 36-7-89-1, Anand Yalvigi 25-5-98-2, Rowland Barrington 3-0-9-0.

Shriyas Khanolkar of Railways sweeps Santosh Vadeyaraj of Karnataka during his knock of 90 in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match in New Delhi on Sunday.

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