Sachin Baby in action. , Photo Credit: RV Murthy
Captain Sachin Baby, a conservative, assisted Kerala Post 206 against Kerala against Gujarat on the early day of the Ranji Trophy semi -final at Narendra Modi Stadium here on Monday in half a century.
The day’s game was a fight for patience as the opposition was refused to give an inch from both sides. Despite taking only four wickets a day, the Gujarat bowlers will be bounced with a controlled run rate, while Kerala will see to take positivity from the stubborn batting against the host.
After batting on the surface of Kerala black soil, Kerala landed for a solid start as openers Akshay Chandran and Rohan Kunumal were safely safe through the early hours of the game with very little game on the offer for pacers.
Despite some dissatisfied calls while walking between the wickets, Dugout inspired the batsmen with the orchestrated clap as the pair brought the fifty-run partnership in the 18th over. The issues of coordination eventually proved fatal as Kunnumal sold Akshay under the river, which attempts a risky single for additional cover.
Kunumal unable to put the run-out episode behind a few overs later, unable to fall in front by Ravi Bishnoi Gugli. Baby and debutant Varun Nayar made a 93-ball stand, but as the scoreboard proceeded very slowly, Gujarat managed to put some pressure and give prizes to the young batsman for 10.
After Jalaj Saxena went to the crease, and to find the constant boundaries for the managing the pair, Kerala continued the game’s game, despite the game continued.
Left-arm pacer Arzan Nagwaswal calculated Jalaj after the break of tea, forcing him to play with 168 balls after 71 runs cooperation.
After the fall of the wicket as Mohammad Azharuddin and Sachin, the stone pelting continued, organized the fort until the end of the day, made a stand of 49 runs in 21 overs.
Score:
Kerala – First innings: Akshay Chandran 30, Rohan Kunmmal LBW B Bishnoi 30, Varun Nayar C Urvil B Priyajit Singh 10, Sachin Baby (Batting) 69, Jalaj Saxena B Nagvaswala 30, Mohammad Azharuddin (batting) 30; Extra (LB-4, W-1, NB-2): 7; Total (for four wkts. In 89 overs): 206.
Fall of wickets: 1-60, 2-63, 3-86, 4-157.
Gujarat bowling: Gaza 18-5-36-0, Nagwaswalla 16-4-39-1, Priyajit Singh 12-0-33-1, Jaymeet 9-1-26-0, Bishnoi 15-2-33-1, Desai 16-8- 22-0, jayswal 3-1-13-0.
Toss: Kerala.
Published – 17 February, 2025 07:17 pm IST
