Ranji Trophy: Kerala fight back on opening day
Gujarat were 97/4 after restricting Kerala to 185 in their first innings on day one of the quarterfinal.
Gujarat were 97/4 after restricting Kerala to 185 in their first innings on day one of the quarterfinal.
Gujarat were 97/4 after restricting Kerala to 185 in their first innings on day one of the quarterfinal.
Krishnagiri (Wayanad): Kerala hit back through their pacers to reduce Gujarat to 97/4 after managing only 185 in their first innings on day one of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Guajarat at the Krishnagiri Stadium here on Tuesday.
Sandeep Warrier and Basil Thampi scalped two each to lead the Kerala fightback. Thampi struck a big blow when he removed Gujarat captain Parthiv Patel for 43.
Earlier, Kerala, who were put in to bat, could last only 39.3 overs. Thampi, who came in at No. 8, top-scored with 37. Opener Rahul P (26) and last match's hero Vinoop Manoharan (25) were the other batsmen to go past the 20-run mark. Sanju Samson retired hurt on 17 after being hit on his hand.
Medium-pacers Roosh Kalari (2/62), Chintan Gaja (4/57) and Arzan Nagwaswalla (3/50) shared the spoils for Gujarat.
Kerala, who are aiming to make it to the semifinals for the first time,lost wickets upfront and slumped to 52/4 in quick time. Though Vinoop and Sanju battled hard for the fifth wicket, the injury to the latter came as a big blow to home side.
Brief scores: Kerala 185/9 in 39.3 overs (Basil Thampi 37; Chintan Gaja 4/57) vs Gujarat 97/4 in 34 overs (Parthiv Patel 43).