Rain Interrupts Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy Campaign, Frustrating Players and Fans
Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy Elite Group C campaign has been hampered by inclement weather, with the team’s match against Kerala at the Alur Grounds delayed by six hours on Friday due to wet spots on the field. This follows a similar experience in their opening match against Madhya Pradesh, where they were forced to settle for a solitary point.
The persistent rain and drizzle have left the Alur field in a precarious state, with the wet patches refusing to dry out even under the blazing sun. The umpires were unmoved by two close shouts for leg-before against Kerala opener Rohan Kunnummal, adding to the frustration of the Karnataka players.
Kunnummal, who was batting positively, made the most of the conditions, driving superbly in the ‘V’ and breaching the fence multiple times. His standout shot was a hoick over long-off against left-arm spinner Hardik Raj. Vathsal Govind, in contrast, played a more sedate innings, eschewing expansive stroke-play and focusing on clipping off his pads and steering behind square.
At stumps, Kerala had reached 88 for no loss, with Kunnummal batting on 57 and Govind on 31. The match was called off owing to bad light with seven overs remaining.
The weather delays have put Karnataka in a difficult position. If Saturday’s play is also affected, they could end up with another frustrating draw, which would jeopardize their chances of progressing in the tournament.
