Vijay Hazare Trophy: Koushik, Aneesh star as Karnataka seals knockout spot with win over Saurashtra
The HinduOpener Harvik Desai’s gallant century went in vain as Saurashtra fell short in its pursuit of Karnataka’s target by 60 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Group C encounter in Ahmedabad on Friday, a result that seals the latter’s qualification to the knockout stages. The Saurashtra wicketkeeper forged solid partnerships with Jay Gohil and Arpit Vasavada to put his team on track in the 350-run chase, but three quick wickets by V. Koushik, en route to his maiden List A five-wicket haul, tilted the match in favour of the Mayank Agarwal-led side. The target still looked well within reach, especially with Harvik at the crease but an inspired bowling change to bring back Koushik who accounted for Harvik, Vasavada and Vishvaraj Jadeja in a three-over spell saw Karnataka take control. Abhinav Manohar stuck around till the wee end of the innings, pummeling the bowlers over the ropes while Hardik Raj opened the bat face to collect a couple of boundaries and help the team post a formidable 349 for seven in 50 overs which proved enough.