Karnataka takes on Andhra, onus on both to win outright

Mysore, Nov 15 (UNI) In a crucial encouter, hosts Karnataka face an uphill task in a must win situation against Andhra Pradesh in their third Ranji Trophy Elite Group B super league match to be held here from tomorrow.

Karnataka go into the match in a piquant situation, having survived two defeats in their earlier matches. But they are determined to pull up their socks and put behind their earlier set backs to force a win.

Karnatakaa needs to bat well especially in the first innings with the top order led by captain Robin Uthappa, his deputy C Raghu and veteran V S Thilak Naidu. They should take the team along. The home team's bowling will be spearheaded by the trio of N C Aiyappa, R Vinya Kumar and veteran Sunil Joshi.

''We want to win this game. Our group has only six games and we have to win atleast three to qualify for the next round, Karnataka coach Vijya Bhardwaj said.

Karnataka have only two points from two matches.

Andhra, however, have a better batting line-up. But their bowling strength is suspect. In the last two outings against UP and Mahrastra their batting clicked, but their bowlers could not contain the opponents. The batting is led by captain Gnaneswahra Rao, A G Pradeep, Hema Watekar and Prasad Reddy.

Both teams had a session at the nets at the match venue, Gangotri Glades where the pitch is expected to be batsman friendly.

But with both teams looking for a victory a tough battle is expected.

Teams: Karnatakaa(from): Robin Uthappa( captain), K B Pawan, C Raghu, Bharathi Chipli, Ganesh Satish, Thilak Naidu, Manish Pandy, Sunil Joshi, Vinya Kumar, N C Aiyappa, S Ravind, Deepak Chougole, Vinu Narayna and C M Gautha, Coach- Vijya Bhardwaj.

Andhra(from): Gneneswara Rao(captain) D Kalyanakrishna, G Prasad Reddy, Sarath Babu, Bodapati Sumanath, Satyakumar Vema, Hema Watekar, Veera Babu, A G Pradeep, Israel Raju, Manoj Sai, D Shivakumar, Marripuri Suresh and Padidikalva Vijyakumar.

Coach M V Narasimha Rao.

UNI BSP AB KN1646