Umesh restricts Hyderabad

Karnataka medium pacer GN Umesh restricted Hyderabad to a first innings total of 255 on the opening day of their South Zone Ranji Trophy league match at the Gymkhana ground in Secundarabad on Thursday.

Winning the toss, Hyderabad made a poor start losing openers AG Shetty and A Nandakishore with only 18 runs on the board. But Vinay Kumar (56) and skipper Azharuddin (43) steadied the boat by adding 70 runs for the third wicket off 18.4 overs. Azharuddin was caught by Shiraguppi off Umesh after facing 62 balls and hitting six fours and a six. Vinay Kumar continued to bat in defiant fashion till he was fifth out at 149, also to Umesh. He faced 152 balls and hit eight fours. Vanka Pratap contributed a valuable 28 in the middle order and then tailenders JS Yadav (37) and wicketkeeper Youraj Singh (28) kept the innings afloat with an eighth wicket partnership of 52 runs off 13.3 overs. Umesh finished with five for 61 off 24 overs. At stumps, Karnataka were six for no loss after three overs.