DNA Correspondent. Bangalore
Karnataka were in danger of losing a first innings lead against Orissa in the CK Nayudu under-22 match, which seemed headed for a draw. At the end of the penultimate day at Chinnaswamy Stadium, the visitors were 293 for the loss of five wickets, 32 runs short of Karnataka's first innings total.
It was a bad day for the Karnataka bowlers, as the visitors completely dominated the day's proceedings. Starting the day at 59 for one, Sandeep Mulia and Govind Poddar continued to send the Karnataka bowlers on a leather hunt as they added 120 runs for the second wicket, before Abrar Kazi got Poddar out for 64. Five runs later, Kazi delivered another blow by picking up the wicket of Mulia for 72.
But the success didn't last long as Natraj Behera, who had retired hurt on Thursday with stomach pain, came back to bat and scored a brilliant half-century to take his team to a strong position. However, like Mulia, he too couldn't get to the three figure mark as he was bowled by M R Darshan for 73, including 14 boundaries. Karnataka picked up one more wicket before the close of play.

Brief Scores
Karnataka U22:325 against Orissa: 293 for 5 in 129 overs (Natraj Behera 73, Sandeep Mulia 72, Gobind Poddar 64, MR Darshan 2/58, Abrar Kazi 2/62)

Tag: KARNATAKA, MULIA, WICKET, PODDAR, DAY, RUNS, KAZI, NATRAJ BEHERA, MULIA 72, KARNATAKA BOWLERS, ABRAR, ABRAR KAZI, INNINGS, 293, DARSHAN, BOWLERS, SANDEEP, HALF-CENTURY TEAM A,