Kottayam: Sachin Baby and Jalaj Saxena struck unbeaten half-centuries to take Kerala to 223/4 at stumps on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group C match against Hyderabad in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
Kerala, who elected to bat, were in a spot of bother at 109/4, before the two bailed them out of trouble. Sachin (51 batting) and Saxena (58 batting) have so far added 114 runs.
Earlier, V. A. Jagadeesh (5), who returned to the top of the order, fell cheaply as Kerala lost their first wicket with only five on the board. Thakkar (38) and captain Rohan Prem (41) put the Kerala innings back on track with a 75-run stand. Thakkar was castled by Akash Bhandari with the total reading 80.
Prem and Sanju (15) departed in quick succession as Kerala slumped to 109/4.
However, the left-handed Sachin and outstation player Saxena rose to the challenge and their century partnership meant honors were shared on the opening day.
Brief scores: Kerala 223/4 in 90 overs (Jalaj Saxena 58 batting, Sachin Baby 51 batting) vs Hyderabad.
