Bihar Cricket Team vs Karnataka Cricket Team Match Scorecard
The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season witnessed an engaging encounter between Bihar and Karnataka at the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna from October 26 to 29, 2024. This Elite Group C match showcased remarkable performances, strategic gameplay, and pivotal moments that culminated in Karnataka securing an eight-wicket victory over Bihar.
Table of Contents
Match Overview
- Dates: October 26-29, 2024
- Venue: Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, Patna
- Result: Karnataka won by 8 wickets
- Points: Karnataka 6, Bihar 0
Toss and Team Strategies
Karnataka’s captain, Mayank Agarwal, won the toss and elected to field first, aiming to capitalize on the early morning conditions to put pressure on Bihar’s batting lineup.
Day 1: Bihar’s First Innings
Bihar’s innings commenced with early setbacks:
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi was dismissed lbw by Vasuki Koushik for 4 runs in the very first over.
- Babul Kumar followed shortly, caught by Mohsin Khan off Vyshak Vijaykumar for 4 runs, leaving Bihar at a precarious 10/2.
Despite the early losses, Sraman Nigrodh anchored the innings with a resilient 60 runs off 143 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes. He found brief support from Bipin Saurabh, who contributed a brisk 31 runs off 38 balls. However, Bihar’s batting lineup struggled against Karnataka’s disciplined bowling attack, culminating in a total of 143 all out in 55.5 overs.
Bowling Highlights
Karnataka’s bowlers exhibited exceptional skill:
- Shreyas Gopal: The leg-spinner delivered a stellar performance, claiming 4 wickets for 28 runs in 14 overs, effectively dismantling Bihar’s middle and lower order.
- Mohsin Khan: Making his first-class debut, the off-spinner impressed with figures of 3/50 in 16 overs.
- Vasuki Koushik and Vyshak Vijaykumar contributed with 1 wicket each, applying consistent pressure on the batsmen.
Day 2: Weather Interruptions
The second day’s play was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain, leading to a wet outfield. This interruption added uncertainty to the match’s progression.
Day 3: Karnataka’s First Innings
Resuming on Day 3, Karnataka aimed to establish a commanding lead:
- Nikin Jose and Sujay Sateri provided a steady start, with Jose scoring 11 runs* and Sateri contributing 4 runs* before play was halted on Day 1.
- The batting lineup capitalized on the foundation, with significant contributions from the middle order.
Key Performances
- Mayank Agarwal: The skipper led by example, scoring a composed 75 runs, anchoring the innings.
- Manish Pandey: Added valuable runs with a well-crafted 68.
- Abhinav Manohar: On his first-class debut, impressed with a quickfire 50.
Karnataka declared their innings at 287/7 in 51 overs, securing a substantial first-innings lead of 144 runs.
Day 4: Bihar’s Second Innings and Karnataka’s Chase
Facing a significant deficit, Bihar’s second innings mirrored their initial struggles:
- Early wickets tumbled, with Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sraman Nigrodh dismissed cheaply, leaving Bihar at 6/2.
However, Sakibul Gani showcased resilience:
- Sakibul Gani: Demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, scoring a commendable 130 runs, his fifth first-class century. His innings was a blend of patience and aggression, keeping Bihar’s hopes alive.
Despite Gani’s efforts, Bihar was bowled out for 212, setting Karnataka a modest target of 69 runs for victory.
Bowling Excellence
- Shreyas Gopal: Continued his fine form, taking 4 wickets for 70 runs, bringing his match tally to 8 wickets.
- Vyshak Vijaykumar: Supported well with 3 wickets for 44 runs, maintaining pressure from the other end.
In their chase, Karnataka encountered minor hiccups:
- Mayank Agarwal was dismissed for 9 runs, and R. Smaran contributed 15 runs.
- Nikin Jose remained unbeaten on 28,* guiding the team to victory in 10.1 overs with 8 wickets in hand.
Key Takeaways
- Sakibul Gani’s Resilience: Despite Bihar’s overall batting collapse, Gani’s century stood out as a testament to his talent and determination.
- Karnataka’s Bowling Prowess: The combined efforts of spinners and pacers showcased Karnataka’s balanced attack, crucial in both innings.
- Weather Impact: The loss of an entire day’s play due to rain tested both teams’ adaptability and strategic planning.
Conclusion
The Bihar vs. Karnataka match in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 was a compelling display of cricketing skills, strategic acumen, and individual brilliance. Karnataka’s comprehensive performance, highlighted by effective bowling and solid batting, secured them a well-deserved victory and valuable points in the tournament standings. Bihar, despite moments of individual excellence, will look to regroup and address their vulnerabilities in upcoming matches.
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