Hazare Trophy: Vishnu Vinod stars as Kerala post second win

Bengaluru: A swashbuckling hundred by opener Vishnu Vinod powered Kerala to a 65-run win over Chhattisgarh in their Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day match here on Tuesday.

Vinod’s second ton of the competition helped Kerala amass 296/9 in 50 overs after being put in to bat.

His 91-ball 123 featured five fours and 11 sixes. The right-hander put on 59 for the second wicket in the company of Sanju Samson (16) after the early loss of captain Robin Uthappa.

Uthappa, who promoted himself to open the innings, failed yet again and fell for six.

Vishnu added 93 for the third wicket along with Sachin Baby (34).

Though Kerala lost three quick wickets, Mohammed Azharuddeen (56) and Jalaj Saxena (34) made sure they ended up with a formidable total. They were involved in an 80-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Jiwanjot Singh (56) and Ashuthosh Singh (77) put on 105 for the second wicket to keep Chhattisgarh in the chase. But Sandeep Warrier provided a big breakthrough for Kerala by removing a well-set Jiwanjot.

Ashuthosh kept fighting along with Harpreet Singh Bhatia. But once Harpreet (26) was dismissed by Warrier, Chhattisgarh lost wickets in a heap and were bundled out for 231 in 46 overs.

Pacer M D Nidheesh picked up 4/54, while fellow fast bowlers Warrier and K M Asif scalped three each.

This was Kerala’s second win from five games and they have eight points.

Kerala next take on Goa on Saturday.

Brief scores: Kerala 296/9 in 50 overs (Vishnu Vinod 123, Mohammed Azharuddeen 56; Veer Pratap Singh 3/82) bt Chhattisgarh 231 in 46 overs (Ashuthosh Singh 77, Jiwanjot Singh 56; M D Nidheesh 4/54, Sandeep Warrier 3/25, K M Asif 3/50).

Points: Kerala 4; Chhattisgarh 0.