[ad_1]
Prized scalp: Karnataka players are delighted to see the back of Punjab skipper Uday Saharan.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
In a fortnight, Karnataka’s domestic season could have fully unravelled. On the back of a below-par Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, it lost in the semifinal of the Vijay Hazare Trophy after looking set for a successful title-defence.
Then came the 217-run reverse to Madhya Pradesh, which severely threatened its Ranji Trophy knockouts qualification. But Sunday’s Devdutt Padikkal-inspired win, which ensured a last-gasp Ranji quarterfinal berth, will come like oxygen.
“It’s incredible,” the skipper told The Hindu, after the match. “We spoke at the start of the day that we could do something special and can look back on it as one of the best days we’ve had on the cricket field. So I’m really happy.”
Apart from the daunting 250-run target from 40 overs, the result had seemed improbable for large tracts. Karnataka had let Punjab escape from 168 for six in the first essay and did not exactly bamboozle the home batters in the second. Padikkal admitted to thinking that Karnataka had let the game drift too far.
“There were times when we thought it wasn’t possible but the boys kept believing. We kept coming back into the game whenever we felt that it was pulling away. Everyone stood up.
“It wasn’t a one-man show. It wasn’t an easy pitch to take wickets but every bowler came in and did his job.”
“We have always prided ourselves in going deep into tournaments. Hopefully we can continue to play this way and win three more games,” he added.
Published – February 01, 2026 09:54 pm IST
[ad_2]
One of the best days we’ve had on the field: Padikkal
