Rohan Prem top-scored for Kerala with 34. FileMumbai: Kerala beat Vidarbha by two wickets in their last Super League match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but it was not enough for the side to keep their chances of making it to the final alive.
After bowling out Vidarbha for 105, Kerala needed to reach the target in 15.1 overs to match the net run rate of then-group toppers Mumbai. However, Kerala only managed to huff and puff over the finish line in the 19th over.
Kerala won the toss and elected to field. Medium pace duo Niyas Nizar (3 for 14) and Manu Krishnan (3 for 27) stood out among the Kerala bowlers, while Urvesh Patel (28) top-scored for Vidarbha.
Kerala didn't get off to the best of starts in their reply, with Swapnil Bandiwar trapping talisman Sanju Samson leg before in the first over. Off-spinner Akshay Wakhare (3 for 26) caused further damage to the Kerala middle-order as the batsmen fell looking to finish the match in 15 overs, though Rohan Prem (34) stood firm.
Vidarbha sniffed a possible win when Prem was dismissed with Kerala at 100/7, but the tail eventually managed to see off the game with eight balls to spare.
Baroda beat Mumbai by two wickets in the other match to top Group A and qualify for the final, where they will face Uttar Pradesh.
Disclaimer
The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Manorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.