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Bombay rout Karnataka

Reigning champions Karnataka were beaten by Bombay by an innings and 74 runs in the Ranji Trophy Super League Group A match at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Monday.

A devastating performance by Abey Kuruvilla with bat and ball gave the oft-crowned champions a thumping victory and eight points with more than a day to spare. He first hit four fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 37 from 48 balls as Bombay amassed 391 in their first innings, and then picked five wickets for 32 runs as Karnataka were dismissed for 108 in their second innings.

Few would have expected Karnataka to succumb so meekly even though they were at the receiving end during the first two days, when they were bowled out for 209 on the first day and then saw Bombay pile 322 for 8 on the second.

On the third morning it was Jatin Paranjpe who added to their misery. 93 overnight, he duly reached his century before getting out for 107. He faced 189 balls and hit 15 fours. Then tailenders Nilesh Kulkarni (19) and Abey Kuruvilla, the last two batsmen, added 55 runs off 13.2 overs before Sunil Joshi could end the innings and finish with a haul of five wickets for 126 runs.

In their second knock, after Arun Kumar was caught by Amit Pagnis off the bowling of Kuruvilla in the second over, nothing went right for Karnataka. They lost wickets as regular intervals. Only M Beerala (34) and Doda Ganesh (26) got into double figures as Kuruvilla and Kannan, who bagged 4 wickets for 55 runs in the first innings, called the shots.

Scoreboard

Baroda too good

Baroda beat Bihar by an innings and 114 runs with a day to spare in their Group B match of the Super League at the IPCL sports complex in Baroda on Monday.

Following on 380 runs behind, Bihar, who resumed at 74 for three, were all out for 266 on Monday, the third morning.

Only opener Nikhilesh Ranjan (72), wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (45) and Mihir Diwakar (67) put up a semblance of resistance as Zaheer Khan ripped through the Bihar innings to bag five wickets for 67 runs and finish the match with figures of 10 for 110.

Ricky's revels

Ravneet Ricky, one of the heroes of India's under-19 World Cup triumph, stole the limelight as Punjab took command of their Group B Super League match against Hyderabad at the PCA stadium in Mohali on Monday, the third day.

The young opener hit a superb 134 as Punjab, ten runs ahead in the first innings with eight wickets in hand at close on the second day, amassed 363 for eight before declaring. In reply Hyderabad were 15 for no loss at stumps in their second innngs Hyderabad were all out for 117 in their first innings. They trail by 231 runs.