Karnataka off-spinner V Chandu missed out on a well-deserved hat-trick but her match haul of five for 17 laid the foundation for her team's runaway 10-wicket win over Saurashtra in the BCCI Senior Women's One-Day Trophy on Thursday.
At the VCA stadium in Nagpur, Karnataka bowled out the opposition for a paltry 95 in 41.2 overs. In reply, the Elite Group 'E' toppers easily overhauled the target in 15.1 overs.
Saurashtra, who chose to bat, were off to a shaky start, losing opener Jayu Jadeja in the third over with Monica C Patel (2/11) providing the early breakthrough. Saurashtra never recovered from the loss and lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 76 for five in the 33rd over.
Opener P Nimavat (33) and Sarasvati K (25) offered some resistance but found little support from their teammates. Chandu was on a hat-trick when she claimed the wickets of Sujan Sama and M Malek off consecutive balls in the 38th over but was denied the hat-trick.
In reply, Karnataka were hardly troubled by the Saurashtra bowlers as in-form G Divya (43 n.o), who opened the innings in place of a rested Vrinda D, and S Shubha (55 n.o) completed the formalities.
With an all-win record, Karnataka remained on top of the group with 16 points and sealed their berth in the knockouts.
Brief scores: Saurashtra: 95 all out in 41.2 overs (P Nimavat 33, Sarasvati 25; Monica C Patel 2-11, Chandu V 5-17) lost to Karnataka 99/0 in 15.1 overs (G Divya 43 n.o., S Shubha 55 n.o)
