PTI

Bangalore, Jan 7: Aided by its bowlers including star leg spinner Anil Kumble, Karnataka today defeated Delhi by 167 runs in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match on the fourth and final day here today.

Kumble grabbed three for 63 and combined with Sunil Joshi (3/24) and N C Aiyappa (2/20) to bundle out the visitors for 138 in 60.4 overs.

Earlier, Karnataka declared their second innings at 280 for eight, setting Delhi a victory target of 306 runs.

Karnataka earned four points to take their tally to 12 from six outings.

Delhi team, led by Virender Sehwag, began their reply on a disastrous note losing opener Shikhar Dhawan for a duck while two other batsmen followed him at regular intervals.

Much was expected of Sehwag, but he was bowled by Akhil for 18.

Joshi, who bagged six wickets in the first innings, had a match haul of 9/97. He equalled the Ranji Trophy record of 343 wickets that stood in the name of Raghuram Bhat, when he scalped the wicket of Abhishek Sharma.

Bhat had achieved the feat in 71 matches, while Joshi touched the mark in 80 matches.

With this victory, Karnataka improved its chances of qualifying for the semifinals, but has to do well against Gujarat in their last league match.

Brief Scores: Karnataka 283 and 280 for 8 decl vs Delhi 258 and 138.