Ranji Trophy: Vinay Kumar's super six destroys Mumbai for 44

Bengaluru, Feb 25: Karnataka captain R Vinay Kumar led from the front as he destroyed Mumbai with a six-wicket haul on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy semi-final today.

At the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, 21 wickets (7 ducks) tumbled. First, Karnataka were bowled out for 202 in 60.2 overs. When it was Mumbai's turn to bat, Vinay produced an outstanding spell of bowling with 6/20 (8 overs) to send Mumbai packing for just 44 in 15.3 overs. After that 2 wickets fell in home team's second innings.

Only two of Mumbai's batsmen reached double figures. Four batsmen got out for ducks. Abhishek Nayar was injured and did not bat. The visitors' innings closed at 44/9. Mumbai innings was over in 77 minutes and lasted only 93 balls.

Today's score of 44 is the second lowest for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy after 42 against Gujarat in 1977-78. Karnataka took 158-run first innings lead and their openers were back again for the second time to bat.

But both returned cheaply as the hosts ended the first day at 10/2 in second essay. Robin Uthappa (4) and KL Rahul (2) were dismissed. Nightwatchman Abhimanyu Mithun (4) and R Samarth (0) will resume batting tomorrow.

Earlier, reigning champions Karnataka won the toss and opted to bat. Opener Uthappa topscored with 68 while the next best on a bowling day was from Karun Nair with 49 not out. Rahul was out for 15.

Brief Scores

Karnataka 10/2 in 5 overs and 202 all out in 60.2 overs (Robin Uthappa 68, Karun Nair 49 not out, Manish Pandey 34, R Vinay Kumar 17, KL Rahul 15, Shardul Thakur 4/61, Wilkin Mota 2/18) Vs Mumbai 44 all out in 15.3 overs (Abhishek Nayar was injured and did not bat) (Shreyas Iyer 15, Surya Kumar Yadav 12, R Vinay Kumar 6/20, S Aravind 2/1)

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