Rahul Dravid's double ton helps Karnataka to draw by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Scorecard:	Mumbai v Karnataka
Player:	RS Dravid
Event:	Ranji Trophy 2007/08

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DateLine: 6th November 2007

 

Mumbai, Nov 6: Rahul Dravid continued to answer his critics in the best possible way hitting a glorious double century to help Karnataka achieve a draw against Mumbai on the concluding day of the four-day Elite Division Group 'A' match at the Wankhede stadium here today.

 

With this drawn match, Karnataka salvaged a point while Mumbai got three points for taking the first innings lead. Mumbai, set an imposing target of 256 runs in 32 overs, reached 70 for two wickets in 17 overs when play was finally called off with the match ending in a tame draw. Ajinkya Rahane with 22 and Amol Muzumdar with 4 were at the crease when play was called off. Earlier, in the morning, resuming at 195 for one, Dravid continued to send the Mumbai bowlers on a leather hunt. He started off with a fluent drive through covers off Iqbal Abdulla and continued to bat positively as the new ball was taken in the fourth over of the day.

 

The loss of overnight partner KB Pawan for 80 which came in a stay of 254 balls and inclusive of seven fours and a six with the score on 227 did not deter Dravid spread his wagon wheel around the ground, showing his full repertoire of strokes. There was a hook and a pull, two crashing drives over cover, a steer to third man, a leg glance, a cut and a few lofted drives against the spinners to the straight boundary. He hit three sixes too, sending the ball out of the ground on one occasion when he swung Abdulla over long-on.

 

Meanwhile, Mumbai got C Raghu being caught by wicket keeper Vinayak Samant of Powar for 13 and then left arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla got his first wicket when Abhishek Nayar took an easy catch in the covers to dimiss Yere Goud for 1 to leave Karnataka on four for 290.

 

However, the day belonged to Dravid who finally fell one short of his highest score in Ranji Trophy being dismissed for 214 caught by A Rahane off Iqbal Abdulla.

 

Karnataka finally declared at 397 for six at the stroke of tea, leaving Mumbai to get a mammoth total of 256 runs in 32 overs which was never on and after 17 overs were bowled in the Mumbai innings the captains decided to call of the match.

 

Following is the Scoreboard at the end of the fourth and last day in the Elite Division Ranji match between Mumbai and Karnataka played at the Wankhede stadium here today.