Pacer Vidwath Kaverappa’s remarkable return for Karnataka helped secure the first-innings lead, and the resultant three points, in a drawn Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B encounter against Goa, at the KSCA Navule Stadium here on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old’s career was on the ascendency before the 2024-25 season, but multiple injury setbacks came as cruel blows as he played just two First Class matches in 12 months.
With a fine five-wicket haul versus Goa (23-6-51-5), where he blew away the opposition’s lower-order, he showed what Karnataka had missed out on last season, and in the campaign-opener, where Saurashtra’s last two wickets collected 58 runs and took a narrow four-run first-innings lead.
Kaverappa’s effort limited Goa to 217, 154 runs adrift of the home side. The visitors were asked to follow on, but Manthan Khutkar (55 n.o., 135b, 5×4) and Abhinav Tejrana (73 n.o., 126b, 9×4) carried Goa to 143 for one before truce was called just after tea.
“I thought of it [injury lay-off] as an off-season. I wanted to put on a bit of strength, increase my pace. That’s how I kept myself busy”Kaverappa
First to go in the morning was overnight batter Arjun Tendulkar (47, 122b, 6×4, 1×6), caught behind off Kaverappa. Mohit Redkar, who had buckled down on day three to help Goa reach 171 fox six, turned belligerent, smashing Kaverappa and fellow speedster Vyshak for three sixes.
But another attempted maximum off Kaverappa brought about his Redkar (53, 77b, 3×4, 3×6) as he too edged to wicket-keeper K.L. Shrijith. Samar Dubhashi was caught by R. Smaran at third slip in the same over before Vyshak sent old mate V. Koushik’s stumps cartwheeling.
When Goa returned for the second essay, Vyshak trapped Suyash Prabhudessai in front in the sixth over to raise hopes of a win, only for it to prove a mirage.
Goa’s Abhinav Tejrana in action during his unbeaten second-innings half-century.
| Photo Credit:
N. Sudarshan
Ironically, a contest which saw significant chunks of playing time being lost to rain and bad light ended under clear skies and a dash of afternoon sunshine. A good omen, Karnataka would like to believe, ahead of the next tie away to Kerala from November 1.
The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: 371.
Goa — 1st innings: Manthan Khutkar c Shrijith b Abhilash 9, Suyash Prabhudessai c Shrijith b Kaverappa 12, Abhinav Tejrana c Jose b Kaverappa 18, Snehal Kauthankar c Shrijith b Abhilash 10, Lalit Yadav c Parantap b Abhilash 36, Darshan Misal c Karun b Parantap 12, Arjun Tendulkar c Shrijith b Kaverappa 47, Mohit Redkar c Shrijith b Kaverappa 53, Samar Dubhashi c Smaran b Kaverappa 6, V. Koushik b Vyshak 5, Vijesh Prabhudesai (not out) 0; Extras: (b-3, lb-5, nb-1): 9; Total (in 87.2 overs): 217.
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-29, 3-47, 4-51, 5-100, 6-115, 7-185, 8-212, 9-213.
Karnataka bowling: Kaverappa 23-6-51-5, Abhilash 22-3-74-3, Parantap 16-6-18-1, Vyshak 18.2-2-53-1, Shreyas 8-2-13-0.
Goa — 2nd innings: Manthan Khutkar (not out) 55, Suyash Prabhudessai lbw b Vyshak 13, Abhinav Tejrana (not out) 73; Extras: (lb-2): 2; Total (for one wkt. in 46 overs): 143.
Fall of wicket: 1-20.
Karnataka bowling: Kaverappa 8-2-12-0, Vyshak 8-1-33-1, Abhilash 7-1-20-0, Parantap 7-2-20-0, Shreyas 9-1-28-0, Jose 7-0-28-0.
Published – October 28, 2025 08:03 pm IST
