Glimpses of an allrounder in the making

Murali Kartik's allround abilities were on display in the Ranji Trophy tie against Tamil Nadu at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in his birthplace, Chennai in the 1998-99 season. Into his third season in domestic cricket, Kartik's bowling skills had been largely consigned to the relative obscurity of the Central Zone league. He seized this opportunity in the Super League against Tamil Nadu, one of the better sides in the country, to thrust himself firmly onto the national stage.

After Tamil Nadu skipper Robin Singh won the toss and put the Railwaymen in to bat, they were dismissed for 154, Kartik top scoring with 29. With the ball in hand, Kartik then turned in a lengthy bowling stint of 41.1 overs, scalping five wickets. Opener RC Vasanth Kumar was his first victim, trapped leg before for 29.

The middle order comprising Hemang Badani, Sridharan Sharath and JR Madanagopal also fell prey to the 22 year old's left arm spinners although the last-named made 101 before being finally dislodged from the middle. Kartik later had Thiru Kumaran snapped up by Zakir Hussain to end with figures of 5/84.

Railways took strike in their second innings, trailing by 228, and when Kartik came in to bat at No.8, joining Yere Goud, they were just 44 ahead at 272/6. Hereupon began a fightback which saw the seventh wicket pair add 90 runs. Kartik made 53 of these before being caught by stand-in wicket keeper Anand George off Sadagopan Mahesh.

Goud remained unbeaten on 104 as play was finally called off with Railways on 412/9, including a record 89 extras conceded by Tamil Nadu. Kartik completed a fine Ranji season, bagging 29 wickets in seven games at 19.31 runs apiece. His average was the best among the 20 bowlers who took 25 or more wickets in the competition that season.