Ranji Trophy: Kerala dominate Chhattisgarh on opening day

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala dominated Chhattisgarh on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match at the St Xavier's College Ground, Thumba, on Tuesday. After bowling out Chhattisgarh for a modest 149, the home side ended the day on 100/2.

Openers P Rahul (24) and Rohan Kunnummal (31) were the batsmen dismissed. Rohan Prem (29)and Sachin Baby (11) were at the crease.

Saxena shines

Jalaj Saxena took five wickets as Chhattisgarh folded up in 49.5 overs after being put in to bat. The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals.

Captain Harpreet Singh Bhatia top-scored with 40. Mayank Yadav (29 not out) and Sourabh Majumdar (19) added 45 for the last wicket to take them close to the 150-run mark.

Offie Saxena claimed 5/48, while Vaisakh Chandran and part-timer Sachin Baby picked up two wickets each.

It was the 36-year-old Saxena's 24th five-wicket haul at the first-class level.

Brief scores: Chhattisgarh 149 in 49.5 overs (Harpreet Singh Bhatia 40; Jalaj Saxena 5/48, Sachin Baby 2/4. Vaisakh Chandran 2/39) vs Kerala 100/2 in 38 overs.

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