Ranchi: Despite four brilliant fifties by Bihar batsmen in the second knock, Karnataka was cruising smoothly in pursuit of the winning target with just 55 runs more required and eight wickets in hand on the third day of the group II Ranji trophy match on Tuesday. At close Karnataka was 88 for two with R Barrington (19) and Vijay Bharadwaj (5) guarding the crease. Needing 110 runs to make Karnataka bat for the second time, Bihar started the day on a positive note with both the overnight batsmen - Rajeev Kumar (67) and Manish Kumar (59) - putting on at brilliant 114 runs for the fifth wicket. Rajeev Kumar was snapped up by Barrington off Bhardwaj while Manish Kumar was wrapped on the pads while attempting a cross batted shot off Joshi and the umpire upheld a shout for lbw. The came the day's most enthralling period when M S Dhoni (93) and Sumit Panda (71) clobbered the fancied Karnataka attack all round the wicket, stitching a partnership 131 runs for the seventh wicket. Dhoni who hit 15 fours and a six, was unfortunate to fall seven runs short of what would have been a well deserved century when he was beguiled Sunil Joshi who had in caught by Vijay Bharadwaj. The tail perished quickly with the Bihar second innings folding up at 331. Needing 144 runs for an outright win, the visitors showed no hurry in their approach.

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