Karnataka go down meekly to TNCA, innings win for Kerala

Chennai, Aug 25 (UNI) Kerala defeated Vidarbha by an innings and eight runs while regning champions TNCA XI beat Karnataka by six wickets to gain full points on the second day of the third set of league matches in the All India Buchi Babu cricket tournament here today.

Resuming at 89 for no loss in reply to Vidarbha's 114, Kerala gained a 166-run lead, hitting up 280 all out in 86.2 overs.

Sambasiva Sharma (60), Sebastian Antony (63) and K J Rakesh (52) all scored half centuries, despite a six wicket haul by medium pacer Gaurav Upadhyay.

Faced with a daunting task, Vidarbha finished their second essay at 158 for nine in 33.5 overs and lost the contest.

Chasing an easy target of 72 to win, TNCA reached it in 20.4 overs, guided by captain , left hander Abhinav Mukund's 25 off 40 balls with the help of three fours. Earlier, after forcing a lead of 100 runs in the first innings, TNCA bowled out Karnataka for 171 in 38 overs in the second innints with off spinner R Ashwin getting on top of the rival batsmen and claiming six wickts for 69 runs. Medium pacer M R Srinivas claied three for 47.

Resuming their first innings at the overnignth score of 142 for 5, TNCA XI scored215 in 72 overs, capped by a fine knock of 73 off 155 balls with 11 fours. K H Gopinath chipped in with 52 off 68 balls with seven fours and a six. Ashwin scored 32 off 57 balls with five fours.

While TNCA XI garnered 19 points from three mtches, KSCA who drew a blank again in the final league match, returned home with a meagre five points from three dismal outings.

In other matches, Mumbai, Punjab, Districts and Gujarat gained first innings lead against their rivals.

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