Lacklustre bowling allows Kerala to reach 237 for 2
Samar Dubhashi
PANAJI
Goa were bowled out for 355 in their first innings in a Ranji Trophy Elite Group encounter. However, a lacklustre bowling effort prevented Goa from asserting dominance over Kerala. In reply, Kerala ended the second day at a strong 237 for 2 in just 58 overs.
Kerala opener Rohan Kunnummal played a scintillating, unbeaten knock of 132, coming off 154 balls, which included 13 fours and 5 sixes. He was well supported by Salman Nizar, who remained unbeaten on 25. The match is being played at the Goa Cricket Association Academy ground in Porvorim. Kerala trail by 118 runs but still have eight wickets in hand.
Resuming on 279 for 8 on the first day, Goa added valuable runs on Friday, thanks to a gritty effort by wicketkeeper Samar Dubhashi. He remained unbeaten on 55 off 109 balls, striking four boundaries. Batting alongside Amulya Pandrekar (10), Dubhashi added 25 runs for the ninth wicket, and then shared a crucial 51-run partnership for the last wicket with Koushik V. (21). Amulya Pandrekar was dismissed by Ankit Sharma, while Nidheesh accounted for Koushik V. For Kerala, Ankit Sharma was the most impressive bowler, claiming 6 wickets for 115 runs.
In their reply, Kerala got off to a solid start with Rohan Kunnummal and Abhishek Nair (32) putting on an aggressive 97-run opening partnership. After Abhishek's dismissal, Sachin Baby (37) joined Rohan, and the duo added 86 runs for the second wicket, further strengthening Kerala's position.
For Goa, Lalit Yadav and Amulya Pandrekar picked up one wicket each.
BRIEF SCORES
Goa, 1st Innings (from 279 for 8): All out 355 in 110.4 overs (Samar Dubhashi *55, Amulya Pandrekar 10, Koushik V. 21, Extras 12, Nidheesh 73–1, Basil NP 73–2, Ankit Sharma 115–6, Shrihari Nair 35–0, Sachin Baby 37–1, Vishnu Vinod 16–0)
Kerala, 1st Innings: 237 for 2 in 58 overs (Rohan Kunnummal *132, Abhishek Nair 32, Sachin Baby 37, Salman Nizar *25, Extras 11. Arjun Tendulkar 60–0, Koushik V. 31–0, Darshan Misal 41–0, Lalit Yadav 43–1, Amulya Pandrekar 44–1, Yash Kasvankar 10–0)
