Ranji Trophy Semis: Vinay Kumar Knocks Mumbai

40-time defending champions Mumbai were knocked over for 44 runs by defending champions Karnataka in the semi final of Ranji Trophy in Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Karnataka skipper R Vinay Kumar was the chief destroyer as he picked up 6-20 in his 8 overs. Sreenath Aravind also took 2 wickets for 1 run in his 2.3 overs. Abhimanyu Mithun picked up one wicket.

Technically Mumbai weren’t bowled out as Abhishek Nayar was retired hurt. The allrounder fell awkwardly on his head while attempting to stop the ball in his follow-through during the second session and had to be taken to a hospital.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket which had a few cracks on it. But Karnataka failed to capitalise on it and were dismissed for 202 courtesy the disciplined effort of Mumbai bowlers. Shardul Thakur took 4-61 off his 18 overs while Wilkin Mota took 2-18 in his 14.2 overs. The duo was ably supported by Balwinder Singh Sandhu and Abhishek Nayar who took a wicket apiece.

Robin Uthappa was the top scorer for Karnataka as he scored 68 from 100 balls, and wicket keeper Karun Nair too played a useful hand with his innings of 49.

Mumbai already hit by the injury of Nayar could never get any partnership with the bat as only two of their batsmen crossed double figures. Shreyas Iyer top scored for Mumbai with 15 while Surya Kumar Yadav scored 12. Mumbai’s first innings lasted for just 77 minutes.

Just before the close of play, Mumbai again hit back as they scalped for both Karnatka openers in KL Rahul and Robin Uthappa.

At the end of day 1, Karnataka lead Mumbai with 168 runs and 8 wickets in hand.

Karnataka 202 (R Uthappa 68; S Thakur 4-61) & 10-2 (A Mithun 4*; S Thakur 1-2) lead Mumbai 44 (Shreyas Iyer 15, Vinay Kumar 6-20) by 168 runs.