Ranji Trophy: Kerala secure first innings lead, but late order collapse hands Saurashtra advantage

For the first time this season, Kerala managed to secure the crucial first-innings lead on the second day of the Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra at Mangalapuram in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

However, a later order collapse handed the advantage back to Saurashtra after the home side was bowled out for 233 in the first innings. That the spectacular unravelling was from a relatively healthy position of 214 for 5 should cause some worry in the Kerala camp.

In the second innings, the visitors were 47 for 1, trailing by 26 runs, when play ended due to bad light. 

Kerala's scorecard does not offer a pretty picture with six single-digit scores and three of them out without scoring. Only opener Rohan Kunnummel (80) and outstation players, Baba Aparajith (69) and Ankit Sharma (38), managed to keep the home side in the hunt.  

After restricting Jaydev Unadkat-led side for 160, Kerala ended Day 1 on 82 for 2. It wasn't smooth sailing for the home side at the start of the second day; their batters kept getting starts only to be pegged back by Saurashtra bowlers. 

The hosts were in a bother at 135 for 5. Captain Mohammed Azharuddin, who seems woefully out of form with the bat, once again failed, when he was out for a duck in 14 balls. But Aparajith and Sharma added 78 runs to help Kerala nudge ahead to secure a first-innings lead. 

Once Sharma perished to the left-arm spin of Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, there was no one to partner Aparajith as Kerala bowlers retreated in quick succession. Even Eden Apple Tom, who top-scored against Karnataka as a concussion sub, failed this time, scoring only 4. Kerala lost the last five wickets in less than nine overs.

For Saurashtra, captain Unadkat was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets for 42. Hetan Kanbi and Chirag Dani chipped in with two wickets each.
Brief scores: Saurashtra 160 & (2nd innings) 47/1 vs Kerala (1st innings) 233 (Rohan K 80, B Aparajith 69, A Sharma 38; J Unadkat 4-42, H Kanbi 2-53, C Dani 2-43).