Karnataka poised for victory

Karnataka have set up a good victory platform against Delhi at the end of the third day. Though they lost wickets early on in the day, the home side managed to squeeze past the Delhi total, posting 359 in response to 342 in the first innings.

This broke the spirit of the Delhi team and they were reeling at 182 for 7 when stumps was called. Apart from a half century from opener Ashu Dani (52) none of the Delhi batsmen got going.

While Delhi would have liked to wrap up the Karnataka innings as soon as possible, Akhil and Ganesh denied the Delhi bowlers further success with a fifty run partnership for the seventh wicket before Ganesh was dismissed by seamer Akash Malhotra. Karnataka skipper Venkatesh Prasad and Akhil then had a useful 38 run eighth wicket partnership before Mehra trapped Akhil in front for a well made 59. The innings came to a close soon after and Karnataka ended at 359.

A despondent Delhi, more or less out of the reckoning for a pre-quarter final slot, began its second innings with honour to play for. They were off to a sound start with Akash Chopra and Ashu Dani putting on 81 in quick time for the first wicket The first to fall was Chopra, bowled by Vadiaraj for 36. Soon, Ashu Dani was dismissed by the same bowler. The innings faltered from there on with Vadiaraj and Prasad picking up wickets at regular intervals.