Kottayam: Sachin Baby stole the show with an unbeaten 250, but Kerala crashed out of the Ranji Trophy after their Group C match against Services ended in a tame draw in New Delhi on Saturday.
Sachin's career-best score meant Kerala gained the first innings lead, but it was not enough to progress to the quarterfinals. This was the the 28-year-old's second double ton and third hundred at the first class level. The left-hander's previous best was an unbeaten 200 against Hyderabad at Krishnagiri in Wayanad in 2014.
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Sachin's 250 was the third highest score by a Kerala player in Ranji Trophy. Sreekumar Nair holds the record with an unconquered 306 against Services in 2007/08, while Balan Pandit made 262 not out against Andhra in 1959-60.
Sachin's 425-ball knock contained 22 fours and four sixes. Sachin and Akshay Chandran, who slammed his maiden first class hundred, batted the entire fourth day's play. Akshay remained unbeaten on 102 off 231 balls. The left-hander hit seven fours and a six. The two southpaws added 257 runs for the unbeaten sixth wicket.
Kerala, who won three points for gaining the first innings lead, ended their campaign with 25 points from nine matches.
Brief scores: Services 322 drew with Kerala 518/5 in 161 overs (Sachin Baby 250 not out, Akshay Chandran 102 not out).
Points: Kerala 3; Services 1.
