Defending champions Karnataka clinched their eighth Ranji Trophy title on Thursday as they thrashed their southern opponents Tamil Nadu by an innings and 217 runs on the last day of the Ranji Trophy cricket tournament final at the Wankhede stadium here on Thursday.
The R Vinay Kumar-led side always had the upper hand in the five-day encounter after bundling out Tamil Nadu for 134 in the first innings and then amassing 762 runs courtesy a triple century by middle-order batsman Karun Nair (338).
Chasing an imposing 628, Tamil Nadu was shot out for 411 in 107.5 overs in the final session of the fifth day's play. Starting the day on 113 for three, Tamil Nadu saw resilient centuries from Vijay Shankar (103) and Dinesh Karthik (120) but the writing was on the wall after their departure.
leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal (4-126) wrecked the Tamil Nadu batting order with his four scalps. Skipper R Vinay Kumar, who became the joint leading wicket taker this season, ended with two wickets, along with Sreenath Aravind. But the real hero for Karnataka was the 23-year-old Nair, who deservedly got the man-of the-match award for his maiden triple ton in first-class cricket.
The innings also saw centuries from lokesh Rahul (188) and R Vinay Kumar (105 not out) as Karnataka did enough to bat just once. For Tamil Nadu, wicketkeeper-batsman Karthik notched up his 23rd first class century and his 112-ball knock laced with 21 fours and a six, while Shankar made a fluent 103 (164b, 18x4).
Earlier, overnight batsman Baba Aparajith (68) and Vijay Shankar looked poised for a big score, as they batted sensibly. Tamil Nadu however lost Aparajith in the 21st over of the day thanks to a brilliant catch from wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa behind the stumps to get rid of him. Shankar, despite playing the second fiddle, struck a few shots of his own to usher his century. The 24-year old who had shared a century stand with Aparajith for the fourth wicket, combined with Karthik to add 115 runs for the fifth wicket. With Tamil Nadu proceeding, well, Karnataka skipper R Vinay Kumar took the new ball in the 81st over which provided the much-needed breakthrough for the holders.
Brief scores
Tamil Nadu: 134 and 411/9 (Dinesh Karthik 120, Vijay Shankar 103, ; Shreyas Gopal 4/126, Vinay Kumar 2/43,) lose to Karnataka: 762 (Karun Nair 328, lokesh Rahul 188, Vinay Kumar 105 not out; Balaji 3/120, Malolan Rangarajan 3/183) by 217 runs.