Arunkumar leads Karnataka to a massive win

An aggressive hundred from captain Jagadeesh Arunkumar and his 206-run fourth wicket partnership with Vijay Bhardwaj ((94) guided Karnataka to a comprehensive 84-run win over Hyderabad in the Ranji one-dayer between the two teams at the Indira Priyadarshini stadium, Vishakapatnam.

In the morning, Arunkumar won the toss and elected to bat. Opening the batting, he saw the first three Karnataka batsmen depart when the score had only reached 57. But it was then that Vijay Bhardwaj arrived and soon a grand stand between the two unfolded. Arunkumar began to open up as the innings progressed and by the time he was dismissed his 151 off 138 balls, with sixteen fours and four sixes, he had all but sealed his side's win. A few lusty blows from tailenders B Akhil and Dodda Ganesh helped Karnataka pile up a massive 336 for seven in their 50 overs.

Hyderabad made a spirited reply, rattling close to 140 runs in the first 20 overs. But they lost four wickets in the bargain and that proved to be their undoing. No. 3 D Vinay Kumar, who made 104 off 104 balls, was the top-scorer for Hyderabad, who were all out for 252 in 45.4 overs. Karnataka claimed five points for the win.