Smaran scores century to guide Karnataka to win against Pondicherry

Smaran scored his maiden List-A century to help Karnataka defeat Pondicherry in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match in Ahmedabad on Monday.
| Photo Credit: File photo: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

A four-wicket haul from pacer Vidyadhar Patil and an unbeaten maiden List A century from R. Smaran helped Karnataka over the line against Pondicherry in a Vijay Hazare Trophy Group C match here on Monday.

Smaran (100 n.o., 87b, 10×4, 3×6) combined for a 113-run stand with vice-captain Shreyas Gopal (40, 59b, 3×4) to help Karnataka seal victory by three wickets in a tricky chase.

Three wickets from debutant Vijai Raja reduced Karnataka to 78 for four, but Shreyas and Smaran ensured that the runs kept flowing with continuous rotation of strike.

Smaran displayed his array of attacking shots once the innings steadied as both batters hit six fours in the space of seven balls to wrest complete control of the chase. 

Despite a flurry of wickets falling with the finish line in sight, Smaran kept his calm, recording his maiden hundred off the final ball and ensuring the team completed the chase in 40.5 overs to secure its second consecutive win. 

Earlier, Karnataka’s opening bowlers made the best use of the conditions after putting Pondicherry into bat, skittling the top order within ten overs.

None of Podicherry’s top-five managed to get into double figures with Vidyadhar Patil picking up four in his first spell, forcing the batters to play at the deliveries in the channel outside off. 

Captain K.B. Arun Karthick (71, 106b, 3×4, 2×6) and all-rounder Aman Khan (45, 65b, 3×4, 1×6) forged a solid partnership to rebuild the innings before Aman fell to a well-directed bouncer from V. Vyshak.

Arun then dropped anchor, content with taking the game deep while others around him looked for their shots. The skipper went on to complete his half-century before being run out in the penultimate over as his side posted a total of 211 for nine which proved to be inadequate.

Brief scores: Pondicherry 211/9 in 50 overs (K.B. Arun Karthick 71, Aman Khan 45, Vidyadhar Patil 4/27) lost to Karnataka 214/7 in 40.5 overs (R. Smaran 100 n.o., Shreyas Gopal 40, Vijai Raja 3/49).