Sakibul Gani's battling century wasn't enough to prevent Bihar from succumbing to an eight-wicket loss against Karnataka, who claimed their first outright win of the Ranji Trophy season and boosted their qualification hopes with a vital six points here on Tuesday. (More Cricket News)
🅰After declaring overnight at 287/7 with a 144-run lead, Karnataka's prospects improved early on as they dismissed both Bihar openers for just six runs in the second over of the final day.
🌞Gani, who made headlines for his triple century on debut in 2022, partnered with the experienced Babul Kumar in a defiant 130-run stand that frustrated the Karnataka bowlers.
ꦛBabul's composed 44 off 111 balls (5x4) offered support, while Gani fought on, striking 15 fours and four sixes in an impressive 130-run knock that held Bihar's innings together.
💮Ultimately, Gani was the last man dismissed, LBW to Vidyadhar Patil (1/34), after being the linchpin of Bihar's 212-run total.
♛Only three Bihar batters -- Gani, Babul, and Jitin Yadav (15) -- reached double digits, underscoring Gani's impact on an otherwise faltering innings.
ღWith light fading fast, Karnataka's bowlers stayed composed, with Shreyas Gopal taking 4/70 for a match haul of eight wickets and pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak, recently called up for the national T20I squad, contributing 3/44 as they bowled out Bihar in 66.2 overs.
🌃Needing just 69 runs to win, Karnataka chased down the target in 10.1 overs, giving the eight-time former champions' qualification hopes a substantial lift.
Patidar returns to form with blazing ton
In Indore, Rajat Patidar🔥, who has struggled after a disappointing Test debut series against England earlier this year, roared back to form with a sensational 102-ball 159, yet Madhya Pradesh had to settle for a draw against Haryana.
ꦅHaryana, with a first-innings lead, secured three points to remain at the top of the Group C standings with 13 points, five ahead of Kerala and Karnataka at second and third places respectively on net run-rate.
ไTrailing by 132 runs after the first innings, Madhya Pradesh faced a challenging final day.
✤Patidar, who recently missed out on India A's squad for Australia after an unimpressive Duleep Trophy, showcased his class with a blistering 68-ball century -- his 13th in first-class cricket -- dismantling Haryana's bowling attack of Yuzvendra Chahal and Jayant Yadav.
🐈Madhya Pradesh erased the deficit and declared at 308/4, setting Haryana a target of 177 under fading lights. However, Haryana managed 115/3 before the game ended in a draw.
Brief Scores
In Patna:♛ Bihar 143 and 212 in 66.2 overs (Sakibul Gani 130, Babul Kumar 44; Shreyas Gopal 4/70, Vijaykumar Vyshak 3/44) lost to Karnataka 287/7 and 70/2 in 10.1 overs (Nikin Jose 28 not out) by eight wickets. Points: Karnataka 6, Bihar 0.
In Mullanpur:🥀 Punjab 210 and 267/3 in 94 overs (Jaskaranvir Singh Paul 115 not out, Pukhraj Mann 91). Uttar Pradesh 556/9 declared. Match drawn. Points: Uttar Pradesh 3, Punjab 1.
In Kolkata:ꦿ Kerala 356/9 declared in 120 overs. Bengal 181/3 in 63 overs (Shuvam Dey 67, Sudip Chatterjee 57). Match drawn. Points: Bengal 1, Kerala 1.
In Indore:ꦑ Madhya Pradesh 308 and 308/4 declared in 48.1 overs (Rajat Patidar 159). Haryana 440 in 155.5 overs (Lakshay Dalal 105, Dheeru Singh 94, Himanshu Rana 90, Harshal Patel 81; Kumar Kartikeya 5/118) and 115/3 in 38 overs (Mayank Shandilya 68 not out). Match drawn. Points: Haryana 3, MP 1.
