He had made a promising debut within the Ranji Trophy practically eight years in the past, however was of the workforce for a very long time. Akshay Chandran couldn’t have hoped for a extra triumphant return.
The left-arm spin all-rounder scored 150 (268b, 13×4, 1×6) to assist Kerala transfer into a robust place on the second day of the Ranji Trophy match towards Jharkhand on the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi. The customer made 475 in its first innings and decreased the host to 87 for 3 at Stumps.
Kerala had resumed on the in a single day at 276 for six and Chandran’s seventh-wicket stand with Sijomon Joseph (83, 153b, 10×4, 3×6) continued to frustrate the bowlers. By the time Joseph grew to become one of many 5 victims of left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, the duo had added 171. Akshay then batted with the tail to take Kerala to a giant complete.
Basil Thampi offered an early breakthrough, cleansing up Utkarsh Singh within the third over. Then Vaisakh Chandran, one in all three debutants for Kerala (Shoun Roger and F. Fanoos being the others), picked up two wickets in successive overs to place Jharkhand in a spot of trouble at 56 for 3.
“We are indeed in a good position and will try to take more wickets early on the third day,” Akshay advised Sportstar shortly after Stumps on what had been a passable day for him.
“I was prepared to take more responsibility with the bat this season. I had been told by the team management I would be batting higher in the order. It was of course disappointing that I could not play in the Ranji Trophy since the 2019-20 season, and I am glad that I could play an important innings on my return.”
THE SCORES
Kerala – 1st innings: Rohan Prem b Utkarsh 79, Rohan Kunnummal lbw b Nadeem 50, Shoun Roger lbw b Utkarsh 1, Sachin Baby lbw b Nadeem 0, Sanju Samson c Kishan b Nadeem 72, Akshay Chandran c Siddiqui b Manishi 150, Jalaj Saxena (run out) 0, Sijomon Joseph c sub (Sen) b Nadeem 83, Basil Thampi c Siddiqui b Nadeem 9, Vaisakh Chandran c Shukla b Manishi 10, F. Fanoos (not out) 6; Extras (b-10, lb-2, nb-2, w-1) 15; Total (in 146.4 overs): 475.
Fall of wickets: 1-90, 2-97, 3-98, 4-189, 5-222, 6-222, 7-393, 8-407, 9-449.
Jharkhand bowling: Ashish 17-4-42-0, Shukla 16-3-50-0, Manishi 32.4-2-115-2, Utkarsh 34-9-75-2, Nadeem 45-8-167-5, Virat 2-0-14-0.
Jharkhand – 1st Innings: Nazim Siddiqui lbw b Vaisakh 24, Utkash Singh b Thampi 3, Kumar Suraj lbw b Vaisakh 28, Virat Singh (batting) 18, Saurabh Tiwary (batting) 13; Extras (b-1) 1; Total (for 3 wkts. in 33 overs): 87.
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-51, 3-56.
Kerala bowling: Thampi 3-1-10-1, Jalaj 11-3-19-0, Fanoos 3-1-10-0, Sijomon 7-1-23-1, Vaiskah 9-2-24-2.