Karnataka beat Railways in a thrilling one-wicket game at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat in the 2024 season of the Ranji Trophy.
Railways were cleaned up by 155 in the first innings with Koushik V and Hardik Raj taking three wickets apiece. But Karnataka’s hopes of building a big lead were thwarted as Akash Pandey took a five-wicket haul and Ayan Chaudhari took four wickets.
Karnataka ended up making 174, taking a slender lead in the game. Railways batted better in the second innings, piling on a total of 244 with Mohammad Saif making 82 and wicketkeeper Ahuja making 48.
RCB’s Vyshak Vijaykumar, who took a three-wicket haul on IPL debut, was the star for Karnataka with the ball, taking a five-wicket haul. Set a target of 226 to win, Karnataka slipped to 99/6 with Railways dominating with the ball. Akash Pandey once again took a five-wicket haul for Railways, but the game was far from done.
RCB, KKR stars combine to take Karnataka to a thrilling win over Railways
KKR’s latest signing Manish Pandey, who return to the IPL franchise after the 2024 IPL auction, stood like a rock for Karnataka with wicketkeeper S Sharath offering some resistance. The duo put on a 34-run stand which lifted Karnataka from the abyss, but it went downhill again when Sharath was trapped in front by Akash Pandey.