Karnataka all set to complete last rites

Karnataka were just two wickets away from a crushing victory over Rajasthan at the end of the third day of their Super League game at Bangalore's RSI Ground today. After an untypically swift Rahul Dravid century had helped set Rajasthan a victory target of 359, the visitors were tottering at 128/8 from 51 overs when stumps were drawn.

Resuming at 77/1, Beerala and Dravid advanced the score to 128 without further mishap before the former was out for 59 (124 balls, 7 fours). Thilak Naidu arrived at the crease to add a further 115 in Dravid's company. Naidu was out one short of his fifty but Dravid went on to compile 149 off just 173 balls (16 fours, 1 six) before his stumps were disturbed by Anup Dave. Kumble declared at the fall of A Vijay's wicket at 326/6.

Rajasthan never looked like making a match of it and a dismal middle order slump from 62/1 to 73/6 sealed their fate. Opener AS Jain top scored with 32 as Srinath, Prasad and Kumble claimed two wickets each.