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It is odd that two groups in the identical group discover themselves pitted in opposition to one another within the first spherical of the knockout stage. Thanks to the taking part in situations of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Karnataka and Jharkhand will vie in opposition to one another on Saturday for a spot within the quarterfinals.
Despite the situations at Motera on Saturday more likely to be starkly completely different than in Kolkata two weeks in the past when Karnataka had bundled out Jharkhand for a paltry 107 en path to a facile win, head coach P.V. Shashikanth careworn his workforce may have the psychological edge in opposition to Jharkhand within the pre-quarterfinal.
“That was a seam-friendly surface up front and our bowlers exploited the conditions really well. I am not sure whether it’s going to be a similar surface tomorrow but no doubt, having won against them recently, we will carry the confidence heading into the game,” Shashikanth instructed Sportstar on Friday.
Despite the one loss within the league stage to Assam costing Karnataka a direct entry into the quarterfinal, the four-time champion has had a near-perfect league stage. Shashikanth credited the bowling unit for its clean crusing within the league stage.
“The bowling unit has stood up. The newcomers Vidwath (Kaverappa) and (V.) Koushik have been outstanding, with Koushik being the (second) highest wicket-taker. These two have been bowling together really well,” Shashikanth stated.
“Ronit (More) has joined the party towards the end. (K.) Gowtham has been consistent as ever while Shreyas (Gopal) has been picking wickets in every game and scoring crucial runs as well.”
Rookie Nikin Jose has scored the one hundred for Karnataka within the league stage. While Shashikanth heaped reward on him, he hoped the large weapons – Mayank Agarwal and Manish Pandey – will sizzle within the knockouts. While captain Agarwal has tallied 197 runs in six video games, with three fifties, Pandey has scored 226 runs in seven, with 58 not out being his highest.
“Nikin is in sublime touch and Manish and Mayank have got starts consistently. They are our big-match players. As a team, we are gelling together and getting the results. We are confident we can repeat the league stage performance in the knockouts.”