Kerala needed to dig deep to remain afloat within the contest after slipping badly within the final session because the Ranji Trophy cricket match towards Goa headed for an fascinating end on the KCA’s St.Xavier’s College floor right here on Thursday.
After conceding a vital lead of 46 runs, Kerala ended the penultimate day at 172 for six with an total lead of 126 runs. Kerala’s senior gamers Rohan Prem (68 batting) and Jalaj Saxena (28 batting) added 44 runs for the seventh wicket to revive sanity after Kerala misplaced wickets in a rush after tea.
The droop began when P. Rahul was bowled round his legs by Shubham Desai for 16. Sachin Baby (4), Akshay Chandran (4) and Sijomon Joseph (1) fell cheaply because the host crumbled to 124 for six from a wholesome rating of 112 for 2. The ball was spinning and bouncing and each Mohit Redkar and Shubham Desai thrived underneath useful circumstances.
The runs got here in trickle after tea however Jalaj Saxena was constructive and took calculated dangers towards the spinners to ease out the stress. Jalaj’s aggression rubbed on to his companion Rohan Prem who performed with extra assurance and the duo added essential runs.
The submit lunch session noticed Kerala opener Rohan Kunnummal play together with his trademark flourish, clattering boundaries from medium pacers to race to 34. However, he was snapped up by Suyash Prabhudessai at quick leg off Mohit. Rohan Prem and P. Rahul continued in the identical vein attacking the bowling as Kerala cantered at practically 5 runs an over and went to tea at 110 for 2.
Earlier, within the morning, there was early raise for Kerala as Jalaj trapped captain Darshan Misal in entrance for 43 and shortly despatched again Arjun Tendulkar cheaply in the identical trend. Ishaan Gadekar performed steadily to compile his century however was dismissed quickly after. But Kerala allowed issues to float because the final wicket pair of Mohit Redkar (37) and Shubham Desai (15 not out) added 36 runs which gave Goa a useful lead of 46 runs. Skipper Sijiomon discipline inserting was defensive and there have been a whole lot of gaps for the batters to take advantage of.
Scorecard
Kerala – 1st Innings: 265
Goa – 1st Innings: Amogh Desai c Akshay b Sijomon 29, Ishaan Gadekar c Rohan b Jalaj 105, Suyash Prabhudessai c Vaisakh b Sijomon 3, Snehal Kauthankar c Aksha b Vaisakh 7, Siddhesh Lad c Akshay b Sijomon 35, Darshan Misal lbw Jalaj 43, Okay.D. Eknath b Jalaj Saxena 6, Arjun Tendulkar lbw Jalaj 8, Mohit Redkar b Jalaj 37, Lakshay Garg lbw Vaisakh 5, Shubham Desai not out 15 Extras (nb 4, b 8, lb 8): 20 Total (in 110.3 overs): 311.
Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-66, 3-87, 40149, 5-160, 6-216, 7-229, 8-264, 9-275.
Kerala bowling: Thampi 10-0-44-0, Vaisakh 27-6-67-2, Jalaj 40.3-8-103-5, Sijomon 21-2-51-3, Basil 8-1-22-0, Akshay 4-0-8-0.
Kerala-2nd innings: Rohan S. Kunnummal c Suyash b Mohit 34, Shoun Roger lbw Garg 11, Rohan Prem batting 68, P. Rahul b Shubham 16, Sachin Baby c Eknath b Mohit 4, Akshay Chandran b Mohit 4, Sijomon Joseph lbw Shubham 1, Jalaj Saxena batting 28 Extras (b 5, 1b 1): 6 Total (for six wkts. in 55 overs) 172
Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-61, 3-112, 4-121, 5-125, 6-126.
Goa bowling: Garg 8-0-35-1, Tendulkar 3-0-10-0, Darshan 10-1-38-0, Mohit 19-4-56-3, Subham 14-1-26-2, Lad 1-0-1-0.