Ranji Trophy: Rajasthan in control against Kerala

Thiruvanathapuram: Rajasthan took control of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Rajasthan at the St Xavier's College Ground, Thumba, on Sunday. The visitors ended the opening day on 173/4 in reply to Kerala's first innings total of 90.

Fifties by opener Yash Kothari and Rajesh Bishnoi helped Rajasthan gain a lead of 83 with six wickets in hand. Kothari (66) and Ashok Menaria (23) will resume batting on Monday. The two have so far added 43 for the fifth wicket.

Kothari and Bishnoi (67) were involved in a 104-run stand for the third wicket after off-spinner Jalaj Saxena stuck twice in his opening over to reduce Rajasthan to 6/2.

Saxena took all four Rajasthan wickets to fall.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Shubham Sharma (5/41) was the wrecker-in-chief as the Kerala innings folded up in 44.2 overs.

Kerala, who chose to bat, found themselves in trouble early. The new opening pair of Vishnu Vinod (0) and debutant Rohan Kunnummal (8) was back in the pavilion with just 12 on the board.

Rohan Prem was the top-scorer with 18. Three others – Saxena, Salman Nizar and Abhishesk Mohan – made it to to double digits. All three managed 11.

Sharma registered his first five-wicket haul in first class cricket as Kerala's struggles with the batting continued.

Kerala made three changes from the team which beat Punjab. Rohan replaced the injured Robin Uthappa, while Abhishesk Mohan came in for an unfit Basil Thampi and Sijomon Joseph made way for left-arm spinner Akshay K C.

Kerala are in 14th spot with nine pints from five matches, while Rajasthan are placed last with just three points from four games in the 18-team Group A and B. Only the top five will progress to the quarterfinals.

Brief scores: Kerala 90 in 44.2 overs (Rohan Prem 18; Shubham Sharma 5/41) vs Rajasthan 173/4 in 44 overs (Rajesh Bishnoi 67, Yash Kothari 66 batting; Jalaj Saxena 4/34).