Ranji Trophy 2018-19: Vinay Kumar thanks Karnataka fans for their unconditional love and support

Vinay Kumar, the veteran cricketer, played an important part for Karnataka in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. The experienced campaigner played seven matches in the tournament and scored 332 runs at an average of 47.42 with three half-centuries. His top score of 90 not out came against Chattisgarh in Alur. To add to his delight, Karnataka won the game by a mammoth 198 runs.

Kumar wasn’t quite at his very best with the leather though. The 34-year-old could only pick up 14 wickets in the first-class tournament. He was also involved in a mini-controversy during the semi-final match against Saurashtra at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. In the second innings, an out-swinger from Kumar took Cheteshwar Pujara’s outside edge.

However, the on-field umpire remained unmoved and didn’t give the decision in Kumar’s favour. To his agony, Karnataka lost the encounter by five wickets. The wrong decision turned out to be a costly one for Karnataka as Pujara went on to remain not out on 131 from 266 deliveries with the help of 17 fours. Sheldon Jackson also rubbed salt into the wounds, scoring 100 from 217 balls.

Kumar expresses gratitude

After the loss, Kumar took to Twitter and thanked the supporters for their love. He wrote, “Thanks 2 all the Kannadigas & also Karnataka fans all over the world for your unconditional love & support 2 our Karnataka Ranji team. It was indeed a great season for us. Unfortunately again we missed to make it big. Hopefully, we will do it next year. Keep supporting us,”

Here is Vinay’s tweet

In the group stage, Karnataka was placed in Elite Group A and they managed to garner 27 points with three outright wins from eight matches. They also lost a couple of matches, but somehow managed to progress to the subsequent rounds.

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