Mumbai: A swashbuckling hundred by Vishnu Vinod set up Kerala's thrilling one-run win over Services in a Group B match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy national T20 championship here on Tuesday.
Kerala rode on Vishnu's maiden T20 ton to amass 189/3.
Services ended up with 188/5 in reply. Opener Shubham Rohilla top-scored for Services with 42.
With 23 needed off two overs, Vinod Kumar C V bowled a terrific penultimate over, giving away only six runs.
Basil Thampi held his nerve in the final over as Services fell short. Vikas Hathwala could manage only two off the final ball, with four needed.
This was Kerala's second successive win. They next meet Bihar on Thursday (9 am).
The right-handed Vishnu smashed 15 fours and four sixes in his 62-ball unbeaten 109.
The 29-year-old became the second Keralite after teammate Mohammed Azharuddeen to slam a ton in the tournament.
Salman Nizar chipped in with an unbeaten 42 off 24 balls.
Captain Sanju Samson scored a run-a-ball 22.
Kerala lost openers Azharuddeen (1) and Rohan Kunnummal (12) cheaply after Sanju opted to bat.
Vishnu and Sanju added 45 for the third wicket.
Vishnu and Salman put on 110 for the fourth wicket.
Brief scores: Kerala 189/3 in 20 overs (Vishnu Vinod 109 not out, Salman Nizar 42 not out) bt Services 188/5 in 20 overs (Shubham Rohilla 42; Vikas Hathwala 40 not out).
Points: Kerala 4; Services 0.
