Karnataka hammer Bengal by nine wickets in Mushtaq Ali T20

Young Rohan Kadam struck an unbeaten 81 as Karnataka cantered to a nine-wicket win over Bengal to register their second successive Group D win at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Twenty20 tournament here Friday.

The 24-year-old, who made his debut against Assam on Thursday, smashed two sixes and 10 fours during his 55-ball knock as Karnataka chased down the modest target of 132 in 15.5 overs.

Giving him company was wicketkeeper-batsman BR Sharath, who got out after completing his 50 off 37 balls with the help of nine boundaries. The duo laid down a solid opening partnership of 117 runs in 14.3 overs for Karnataka.

Bengal's bowling also struggled at the DRIEMS Ground in Tangi in the outskirts here, with Ashok Dinda leaking 22 runs from his two overs and didn't even complete his full quota.

Opting to bat, Bengal batsmen faltered to be bundled out for 131 inside 19.4 overs with opener Shreevats Goswami top-scoring with a 29-ball 40 (6x4s, 1x6).

The diminutive Goswami gave Bengal the perfect start with Vivek Singh (10) before the latter was dismissed by Abhimanyu Mithun (3/22) by a brilliant diving effort from R Vinay Kumar.

Fresh from his century against Mizoram, Bengal vice-captain Abhimanyu Easwaran failed convert a fine start with Rohan taking a catch off Manoj Bhandage (2/18).

Three balls later, Bhandage gave a second breakthrough when Goswami edged one behind the stumps.

With 66 for 3 in eight overs, the senior duo of Manoj Tiwary and comeback man Wriddhiman Saha (6) looked to rebuild their innings. But it was not be as Saha became victim of a run-out after a mix-up with skipper Tiwary.

Earlier at the same venue, Chhattisgarh toyed Arunachal Pradesh attack to notch up a massive 215 for three en route to a 96-run win for their back-to-back victories.

Rishabh Tiwary top-scored for Chhattisgarh with a 52-ball 81 (7x4s, 4x6s), while Amandeep Khare was at his explosive best in a 23-ball unbeaten 61 (6x4s, 4x6s).

In reply Arunachal Pradesh were restricted to 118 for eight. Vishal Kushwah starred with the ball fopr Chhatisgarh with fine figures of 4 for 16.

Chhattishgarh lead the Group D table with a higher net run-rate than second-placed Karnataka and Haryana. All the three teams have garnered eight points from two games each.

At the Barabati Stadium, Haryana edged out Odisha by 10 runs for their second successive win.

For the hosts, it was their second loss on a row and are yet to open their account after two matches.

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