Ranji Trophy: Karnataka storm into semifinals

JAMMU: It wasn’t the first time in the season that Karnataka found a match winner after being under the pump. Up against a resurgent Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal here, they started off on the wrong foot after being bowled out for only 206 in the rain-affected first innings. After that, it didn’t take them long to establish their supremacy over the Group ‘C’ toppers.
Riding on a creditable team effort, the former champions on Monday stormed to a 167-run win to enter their third consecutive semifinals.In the battle for a spot in the final, they will take on Bengal starting February 29.
Chasing a victory target of 331 in 58 overs, Jammu and Kashmir were bowled out for 163 in 44.4 overs, bringing the curtains down on their dream season.
At the Government Gandhi memorial science college ground here on Monday, Karnataka found their heroes in Man-of-the-Match KV Siddharth (98, 177b, 10x4, 2x6), who fell agonisingly short of a well-deserved century, and off-spinner K Gowtham, who took 7/54.
Brief Scores: Karnataka 206 & 316 (KV Siddharth 98; Abid Mushtaq 6/83) beat J&K 192 & 163 (S Pundir 31; K Gowtham 7/54)
Saurashtra to face Gujarat
ONGOLE: Saurashtra won by virtue of their first-innings lead after their tie with Andhra ended in a draw. Saurashtra had ended the fourth day at 375/9, extending their lead to 658 runs and on the fifth day, they were all out for 426. Wicketkeeper KS Bharat was on 55 along with Karan Shinde (27*).
Brief Scores: Saurashtra 419 (C Jani 121) & 426 (Perak Mankad 85; Krishna 4/74, Rafi 3/92) drew with Andhra 136 (Unadkat 4/42) & 149/4 in 51 overs (Bharat 55*)