Karnataka end title drought

Karnataka finally added a silverware to a frustrating season when they overwhelmed Saurashtra by 41 runs to clinch the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium on Tuesday.

It was the third title for Karnataka in five years after being crowned champions in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The victory brought relief to Karnataka who suffered a heart-breaking loss in the Ranji semifinal to eventual champions Vidarbha and a couple of slip-ups saw them crash out of Syed Mushtaq Ali (T20) Trophy. In context of the quality they have got, it was almost ironical that it was the first trophy of the season for them. The win has opened the doors for them to play in the Deodhar Trophy in Dharamsala from March 2.

The southern giants were propped up by 136-run third-wicket partnership between the man of the moment Mayank Agarwal (90) and R Samarth (48) once they lost their opener Karun Nair and one-drop KL Rahul cheaply. However, their middle-order and lower middle-order floundered, thanks to offie Kamlesh Makvana (4/34), and Karnataka were left to contend with 253 in 45.5 overs. It was a below par total in good batting conditions, but Saurashtra couldn't make the opportunity count.

Captain Cheteshwar Pujara (94) waged a resolute, lonely fight. Though slow at times, he picked up pace during the latter half of the innings and with a brisk 65-run eighth-wicket partnership with Makvana, he set panic in the Karnataka ranks. But Pujara couldn't continue his good work, and the thrilling fightback was brought to a screeching halt when he was runout off a direct hit from Nair. Saurashtra caved in for 212 in 46.3 overs, and Karnataka players rushed to collect stumps as cherished souvenirs.

The former champions, however, began the final on a false note. Put in, they lost captain Nair and Rahul, who had flown in from Cape Town for the match, for mere five runs. Shaurya Sanandia broke through the defence of Nair, who tried to play him on the up, while Rahul was runout when his bat got stuck in the turf.

Mayank and Samarth joined forces to stem the early rot, and in no time Karnataka had shrugged off the setback. Mayank batted in the manner that has defined him through the season. It was an innings of confidence, and low risk, yet peppered with delightful stroking to all corners. It was a near-flawless hitting from the opener, who has now become the first batsman to score over 2000 runs (across formats) in a single season in Indian domestic cricket. With selectors in attendance, Mayank was a picture of focus and fluency, with Samarth, who was dropped on 2, giving gallant support.

As their partnership flourished, so did Karnataka's total. Mayank raised a run-a-ball fifty, and looked set for another century in the tournament but was caught off Dharmendrasinh Jadeja at long-off after pounding the bowler for 17 runs in an earlier over. Samarth followed Mayank in the next over, but Pavan Deshpande, who showed good temperament under pressure, and Shreyas Gopal made handy contributions to keep Karnataka in the hunt.

Against Karnataka's superior attack, Saurashtra lost way too many wickets to make a fight of it. Lanky Prasidh Krishna (3/37) impressed with his length, and control with the new ball, before K Gowtham (3/27) created havoc with his off-spin in the middle overs.

Pujara, standing out with his experience and class, was left a hapless witness as Karnataka ran through Saurashtra.