Karnataka sitting pretty at the end of the fourth day

Karnataka are sitting pretty at the end of the fourth day of their five-day Ranji Trophy Plate semi-final against Vidarbha at Nagpur. The visitors, who had gained a 128-run first-innings lead on the third day, managed to extend it to a massive 735 runs with one second innings wicket in hand.

In the morning, Karnataka, who resumed their second essay at 181/5, were well-served by overnight not out pair of Deepak Chougule and Sunil Joshi. With Joshi donning the role of the aggressor and Chougule dropping anchor, the duo went on to add 181 runs for the sixth wicket before Joshi suffered the misfortune of being dismissed for 99.

Vidarbha must have fancied their chances of bowling Karnataka out quickly when they dismissed next man C Raghu for no score, two runs later. But Dodda Ganesh, who came in place of Raghu, had other ideas.

The lanky medium-pacer went on to forge another massive partnership in the company of Chougule, batting Vidarbha out of the game in the process. The two men put on 204 runs for the eighth wicket before Chougule was unfortunately run out. The 18-year-old made 166, his maiden hundred, off 282 balls with the aid of 22 fours.

Ganesh, for his part, also went on to complete his maiden ton, making 119 off 157 balls inclusive of 10 fours and five sixes. At stumps, Venkatesh Prasad (29*) and Udit Patel (5*) were holding fort for the visitors, who ended the day on 607/9.