Thiruvananthapuram: Opener Abhishek Raman's gritty hundred put Bengal on the verge of gaining the first innings lead against Kerala in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match at the St Xavier’s College Ground, Thumba, on Wednesday. The visitors were 236/6 at stumps on day two in reply to Kerala's first innings total of 239.

Bengal were off to a disastrous start. Basil Thampi drew first blood for Kerala by forcing skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran (four) to nick one to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson.

Left-arm spinner K S Monish struck in his very first over as Koushik Ghosh was caught behind for 11. Bengal were struggling at 26/2 at this stage. However, Abhishek and the experienced Manoj Tiwary (51) steadied the Bengal innings with a 99-run stand for the third wicket.

Off-spinner Jalaj Saxena provided Kerala the much-needed breakthrough as he ended Tiwary's stint. The right-hander hit five fours and a six in his 91-ball knock.

Debutant leg-spinner S Midhun picked up his first wicket as he sent back Sudip Chatterjee for one with the total reading 138.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Shreevats Goswami (24) and Abhishek added 48 for the fifth wicket. Goswami was dismissed by Monish.

Abhishek scored his third first-class ton before he was removed by Basil towards the close of play. His 240-ball knock was studded with seven fours and two sixes.

Shahbaz Ahmed (25) and Arnab Nandi (7) were at the crease.

Resuming on 237/7, Kerala could add just two runs to their first innings tally. The Keala innings lasted a mere eight balls on the second morning.

Medium-pacer Ishan Porel dismissed Monish (14) and Basil (0) while Mukesh Kumar trapped Midhun in front of the wicket for a blob to wrap up the innings.

Apart from Sanju (116) and Robin Uthappa (50), the rest of the Kerala batsmen struggled to get going.

Porel was the most successful Bengal bowler with figures of 3/56. Mukesh, Shahbz and Nandi claimed two apiece, while Ashok Dinda chipped in with the wicket of Kerala captain Sachin Baby.

Brief scores: Kerala 239 in 84.2 overs (Sanju Samson 116, Robin Uthappa 50; Ishan Porel 3/56, Mukesh Kumar 2/37, Arnab Nandi 2/46, Shahbaz Ahmed 2/55) vs Bengal 236/6 in 86 overs (Abhishek Raman 110, Manoj Tiwary 51; Basil Thampi 2/35, K S Monish 2/52).

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