VISAKHAPATNAM: A spirited Kerala dented Karnataka’s title hopes with a 15-run win in the penultimate league match of the Subbaiah Pillai one-day cricket tournament at Port Stadium here today.
Karnataka’s defeat meant that the Subbaiah Pillai Trophy is safely in Tamil Nadu’s kitty. The unbeaten TN team continued their winning streak demolishing Andhra by eight wickets at Ukku Stadium to sit at the top of the table with 19 points, including three bonus points, from four matches. Karnataka are in the second spot with 13 points from four matches with three wins and one loss record.
Even if they defeat TN with a bonus point in the last match on Saturday, Karnataka will end up with 18 points and finish runners-up to qualify for the all India championship.
Devraj’s ton in vain
It was a close match at Port Stadium and in the end Kerala kept their nerves to win the first match of the tournament.
Kerala showed a lot of pluck and determination to post 258/9 in 50 overs. Opener KJ Rakesh stroked away to a polished 75 (96 balls, 5x4, 4x6).
Left-hander Sree Kumar Nair batted confidently for his 98-ball 68 while Rohan Prem made quick 46-ball 52.
Kerala’s tall medium pacer P Parmashvaran, with controlled seam bowling, blew away Karnataka’s hopes. He dismissed the danger man Robin Uthappa (4) early and later removed Sunil Joshi and centurion Devraj Patil (105; 103 balls, 10x4) to signal Kerala’s victory.
Hyderabad win
Hyderabad defeated Goa by 105 runs at ACA-VDCA Stadium to record their second win.Friday is a rest day.
TN all the way
Left-arm medium pacer Sutheesh (3/25) and Yo Mahesh (2/40), who came in place of Balaji, swung the match in Tamil Nadu’s favour in the morning. Andhra were bundled out for 190 in 48.3 overs after one stage they were precariously placed at 79/7 in 22.4 overs. A late order contribution by Siva Kumar 53-ball 56 and unbeaten 41 by GVS Prasad saw Andhra reach a respectable total.
Opener M Vijay found his form and made 95 as TN coasted home easily with bonus points.
Brief scores
Kerala 258/9 in 50 overs (K Rakesh 75, Sree Kumar Nair 68, Rohan Prem 52; Arvind 2/42, Sunil Joshi 2/54) bt Karnataka 243 in 47.3 overs (Devraj Patil 105, Raju Bhatkal 46, S Joshi 22; Parmashvaran 3/15, Niyas 2/50, Prasanth 2/50, Nair 2/52). Kerala 4; Karnataka 0.
Andhra 190 in 48.3 overs (Siva Kumar 56, GVS Prasad 41 not out; Sutheesh 3/25, Yo Mahesh 2/40) lost to TN 191/2 in 33 overs (S Anirudha 42, M Vijay 95, KB Arun Karthik 47 not out). TN 5. Andhra -1.
Hyderabad 260/8 in 50 overs (DB Ravi Teja 69, Amol Shinde 43, Abhinav Kumar 34, Ashish Reddy 29 n.o., Shadab Jakati 3/52) bt Goa 155 in 40. 3overs (Ryan D’Souza 32 n.o., MP Arjun 3/19, Shoaib 3/36). Hyderabad 5; Goa -1.