Karnataka found itself in the Group of Death in the Ranji Super League and were in a rather precarious position before their last game against Delhi at home. An outright victory was desirable if they had to see off the challenge of Bengal for the second qualifying spot behind Mumbai. After his debut against Andhra, Mithun Beerala had gone into a spell of hibernation, with just one fifty ensuing from his next eight innings, so it was important for him to have a long outing in the middle to bolster his own confidence as well as give a firm reply to those who might have doubted his credentials. Delhi started the match strongly and were 320/5 at one stage before the lower order fell away to leave them with a total of 342. As on several previous occasions, Beerala again lost his wicket after getting his eye in. Having struck four boundaries in the course of a 72 run opening stand that gave a solid foundation to Karnataka's reply, he was caught behind the wicket for 22.

Karnataka went on to take the first innings lead and after rolling over Delhi for 191 early on the fourth day, were left with the task of scoring 175 runs in 83 overs to win the match. Beerala finally came out of the shadows to unmask his class as the fifty came up on the board in just 42 minutes. Although losing two partners before lunch, he did not pull his punches against an attack that included two India bowlers in Ashish Nehra and Robin Singh jr. and Karnataka raced to 120 at the break with Beerala on 65. The winning runs were knocked off in the 41st over with the youngster just about getting to his hundred, from 122 balls, punctuated with 15 boundaries. Beerala was naturally 'very very excited', giving full vent to his emotions, and this should be just the shot in the arm he needs to spur him on to greater deeds in the future.