Mumbai, Nov 3: India discard off spinner Ramesh Powar today put on a superb performance of spin bowling to have the Karnataka batsmen in a spin web on the on the first day of their opening ELite Division Group 'A' Ranji Trophy league match at the Wankhede stadium here today. Powar took five for 69 to restrict Karnataka who batting first on winning the toss were able to reach 189 for nine at close of play with B Akhil on 53 and N C Aiyappa on 1 at the crease. It was a dour and listless batting performance by the Karnataka batsmen of whom much was expected with Rahul Dravid in their ranks trying to make a comeback after being left out in the cold for the fist two ODIs against Pakistan. However, the Karnataka batsmen were laden footed as they managed to score below two runs an over for the entire day reaching 189 for nine in 91 overs. It could have been worse on a wicket taking turn right from the first morning if it was not for a fine rearguard unbeaten 53 from the bat of B Akhil who stayed till the close even as he kept losing his partners at the other end. B Akhil was the only Karnataka batsman to defy the Mumbai bowlers reaching his 50 in the last over of the day. He faced 118 balls and his unbeaten 53 run knock was laced with seven boundaries. Earlier Karnataka electing to bat first on winning the toss were given an early jolt when Ajit Agarkar removed the dangerous B Rowland on the fourth ball of the day. Rowland got a perfect outswinger which he edged to keeper Samant without opening his account. Rahul Dravid then walked in next wanting to prove a point to the selectors began slowly showing the full face of the bat to anything hurled at him. He got of the mark with a cover driven four of Rajesh Varma after 35 balls. AT the other end Agarkar got his second wicket when the other opener K B Pawan edged to first slip for debutant Ajinkya Rahane to complete a good catch. Pawan made 11 with Karnataka on 23 for two. Dravid was then joined by C Raghu and the two set about repairing the innings with the former India captain looking a good touch. Dravid started opening out with two beautiful fours in an over from Powar the first a cover driven boundary and the second an equisite on drive. Raghu at the other end was giving Dravid good company as the two put on 49 runs for the third wicket on a pitch which had already started taking turn and bounce in the pre lunch session on the first day. Dravid after reaching 40 got a beauty from Ramesh Powar which turned and bounced as the batsman tried to flick it on the onside, but only managed to to take the higher part of bat straight to the backward squareleg fielder where Amol Muzumdar took an easy catch. Dravid made 40 which came in a stay of 97 balls abnd had four hits to the fence. Karnataka then lost the next batsman Yere Goud for just five runs being stumped by Vinayak Samant of Ramesh Powar to leave Karnataka tottering at 78 for four. B Akhil coming in at number seven then set about repairing the innings in the company of Thilak Naidu, the two putting on 48 runs for the sixth wicket before Ramesh Powar changing ends and coming from the pavilion end got three more wickets to reduce Karnataka to 189 for nine.

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