Gautam, Shreyas give Karnataka command over Mumbai

Nagpur, December 8: Before Friday, CM Gautam has not scored a fifty in this domestic season. His season's highest score stood at 46. In fact, Gautam has not scored a fifty against Mumbai in eight innings prior to the ongoing Ranji Trophy quarterfinals in Nagpur.

In that context, Gautam was battling not just poor form but a whole text of want-to-forget history. But the wicketkeeper batsman once again underlined his value to this Karnataka side, scoring a priceless 79 (111b, 12x4, 1x6).

Karnataka reached 395 for six to extend their lead over Mumbai to an imposing 222 at close on day two and Gautam stood in front of the charge. Of course, without forgetting the significant role Shreyas Gopal (80 batting, 151b, 7x4) played in their 103-run stand for the sixth wicket.

WATCH highlights - Karnataka vs Mumbai @Paytm #RanjiTrophy 2017-18, #QF4 - Day 2 here - https://t.co/V4W0UKMiq0

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 8, 2017

Gautam walked into the crease when Karnataka were at a rather uncomfortable 183 for four, the lead only 10 runs at that stage. At 218, the former champions lost their fifth wicket in the shape of Kaunian Abbas (50) and their lead was still within the covering distance for Mumbai - 45.

The visuals of a famed Mumbai fightback might have entered several minds at that stage. But Gautam in the company of Shreyas extended Karnataka's lead to 148 before falling leg before to right-arm pacer Shivam Dubey, who took five wickets to keep Mumbai's fight going.

Back to Gautam's innings. Over the years, the right-hander has done the firefighting job on several occasions for Karnataka. There's that little, invisible connection between Gautam and a pressure situation.

STUMPS, Day 2, Karnataka: 395/6, 122 overs, lead by 222 runs. Shreyas Gopal 80(7x4s), Vinay Kumar 31(3x4s). #RanjiTrophy #KARvMUM

— Karnataka Ranji Team (@RanjiKarnataka) December 8, 2017

Perhaps, the desire to tide over a crisis motivates him. Often he found himself surrounded by big run-makers - KL Rahul, Karun Nair or a Mayank Agarwal this season. But Gautam steps out of the shadows when Karnataka stare at a crisis.

Here too, the thorny situation did not bog down Gautam rather he sucked energy out of it. His strike rate in excess of 71 is a telltale sign.

The quick scoring allowed Karnataka to keep the pressure on Mumbai and helped Shreyas to settle down nicely at the other end.

By the time Gautam walked away, Shreyas had found his range and added a further 74 runs with skipper R Vinay Kumar for the unbroken seventh wicket.

On day three, Karnataka can look to expand the lead and put this match decisively away from Mumbai. Mind it, the batsmen remaining in the hut - A Mithun, S Arvind and K Gowtham - too can chip in with some runs.

But it all started with Gautam!