Karnataka have this knack of getting out to a small total in the first innings of the knockout match. And invariably it ends up being the last match of the season for Karnataka.
Two years back in the memorable final match palyed at Mysuru Karnataka were shot out for 130 in the first innings. Last year in the semifinal they were again dismissed for a paltry 107 at Ahmedabad. Both the times Karnataka lost.
This year I had a hunch that their journey may end in the quarter finals irrespective of the opposition. There was a sense of silent joy in the Karnataka Cricket circle when the draws were announced. Karnataka were drawn to take on Haryana. Everybody started talking about semi finals as if Haryana were some small fry which can be brushed aside easily.
And it happened Again! Karnataka were allout for 151 in the first innings. There was no demon in the pitch. It was just consistent line and length bowling from Haryana fast bowler Harsha Patel. He took 8/40. Amazing!
Karnataka batsmen were guilty of throwing their wickets away in the last 2 league matches this year (against Punjab and UP) which resulted in them being dismissed for below par score in the first innings and conceding lead on both occasions. This trend continued in the quarter final also. When asked about this before the match captain Ganesh Satish responded 'we have talked about this'. Only talking won't help.
Moreover Karnataka camp was so confident that they made a statement that Manish Pandey who is recuperating from a hernia operation will be available for Semifinal! Guys, the quarter final has not yet started and these fellows were talking about semifinal. How about that? That is called OVERCONFIDENCE. And it as might well just cost Karnataka the match and the season.
There are no second chances in a knock out match. You lose a session, you end up losing the match. In response to Karnataka's 151, Haryana are 120 for no loss at the end of day one. Looks like end of the road for Karnataka. Haryana will slowly bat Karnataka out of the match. If Karnataka rally from this position that would be a miracle. But knowing and watching this particular team from last 3-4 seasons, I can say that it is highly unlikely. Coach Karthik Jeshwanth can start plans for next season.
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