Hyderabad: A fighting unbeaten 91 by wicketkeeper-batsman Sumanth Kolla helped Hyderabad gain the first innings lead against Kerala in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match here on Saturday. The hosts, who lost half their side for just 44, ended the day on 193/8 in reply to Kerala's first innings total of 164.
Sumanth found an able ally in lower-order batsman Saaketh Sairam (27). The two put on 72 runs for the eighth wicket and helped Hyderabad surpass the Kerala total. Sumanth has hit 11 fours in his 157-ball knock.
Kerala pacers Sandeep Warrier and Basil Thampi rocked the Hyderabad innings early on.
Akshath Reddy and captain Tanmay Agarwal were back in the hut inside the first two overs. Warrier accounted for Reddy (0), while Basil sent back Tanmay for two.
Warrier cut short Himalay Agarwal's stint by having him caught and bowled for four. Warrier also removed Jaweed Ali for six to leave the hosts reeling at 19/4.
Basil dismissed J Mallikarjun (12) shortly after lunch. Sumanth and Ravi Teja (32) put on 46 for the sixth wicket. Left-arm spinner Akshay Chandran ended Teja's knock and Warrier returned to remove Mehdi Hassan (9) to reduce the home side to 110/7 before Sumanth and Saaketh took centrestage.
Akshay provided the breakthrough by luring Saaketh out of his crease and having him stumped before close of play.
Earlier, Akshay's unbeaten 31 (49b, 5x4, 1x6) lifted Kerala to 164 in their first innings. Pacers Ravi Kiran and Mohammed Siraj scalped four apiece.
Brief scores: Kerala 164 in 51.1 overs (Salman Nizar 37, Akshay Chandran 31 not out; Ravi Kiran 4/39, Mohammed Siraj 4/59) vs Hyderabad 193/8 in 68 overs (Sumanth Kolla 91 batting; Sandeep Warrier 4/54, Basil Thampi 2/33, Akshay Chandran 2/36).
