Alur (Bengalur): Akhil Scaria's all-round show was the highlight of Kerala's 119-run win over Tripura in the Vijay Hazare Trophy national one-day championship here on Wednesday.
Akhil was involved in a sixth-wicket stand of 59 with Shreyas Gopal as Kerala were bowled out for 231 in 47.1 overs.
The 25-year-old then scalped three with his right-arm medium-pace bowling as Tripura were bundled out for 112 in 27.5 overs.
Akhin Sathar and Vaisakh Chandran too shone with the ball for Kerala. Rajat Dey waged a lone battle for Tripura by smashing 46 from 34 balls before being the last wicket to fall. He hit a four and five sixes.
This was Kerala's third win from four matches in Group A. They next meet Sikkim on Friday.
Earlier, Kerala collapsed after a fine opening wicket stand between Mohammed Azharuddeen (58) and Rohan Kunnummal (44). The two added 95 after being put in to bat.
But once Kunnummal departed off the first ball of the 21st over, Kerala slumped to 131/5 in quick time. Azhar hit seven fours and a six in his 61-ball knock.
Sachin Baby made 14, while captain Sanju Samson (1) and Vishnu Vinod (2) failed to make it to double digits.
Akhil and Shreyas put the innings back on track. Shreyas made 41 off 38 balls, while the left-handed Akhil scored 22 before being run out.
A couple of big hits by pacer Basil Thampi took Kerala past the 230-run mark. Basil scored 23 off 22 balls, with the help of a four and two sixes.
Pacers Bikramjit Debnath and Abhijit Sarkar claimed three wickets each for Tripura.
Brief scores: Kerala 231 in 47.1 overs (Mohammed Azharuddeen 58, Rohan Kunnummal 44, Shreyas Gopal 41; Abhijit Sarkar 3/33, Bikramjit Debnath 3/41) bt Tripura 112 in 27.5 overs (Rajat Dey 46; Akhil Scaria 3/11, Akhin Sathar 3/27, Vaisakh Chandran 2/14).
Points: Kerala 4; Tripura 0.
