PANAJI
Riding on left-handed opener Ishaan Gadekar's classy century on Ranji debut, Goa secured a useful first-innings lead in their Ranji Trophy match against Kerala on Thursday. After posting 311 in reply to Kerala's 265, the visiting side's spin bowlers came into play on a turning wicket, as Goa went to stumps enjoying the upper hand with the hosts struggling at 172-6 in their second essay in the fourth round Elite Group C encounter at St Xavier's KCA Cricket Ground in Trivandrum.
The 25-year-old Gadekar, who scored 105, became only the third player to register a century on Ranji debut for Goa after Sumiran Amonkar, who he had replaced, and Arjun Tendulkar (120 v Rajasthan in Porvorim at the start of the First Class season).
Resuming the day trailing by 65 runs and with five wickets in hand, Goa could add only 16 runs before losing their captain Darshan Misal on 43 (134b, 2x4) leg-before off slow left-arm orthodox Jalaj Saxena. New man Arjun Tendulkar (6) did not last long, trapped in front by the same bowler. At 232/7, Gadekar found an ally in Mohit Redkar (37, 42b, 1x4, 2x6) as the opener scored his maiden 100 on Ranji debut which included seven boundaries and a six. Ishaan fell on 105 (200b, 7x4, 1x6), caught at slips by Rohan Kunnummal as Jalaj picked his third wicket of the morning.
After Lakshay Garg fell for 5, last man Shubham Desai (15 not out, 59b, 2x4) and Redkar frustrated Kerala to take the first innings score to 311. Redkar was the last man out after his 42-ball inning that contained one four and two sixes, as Jalaj Saxena grabbed another five-for.
Post resumption, Kerala began their second essay with Rohan Kunnummal joined in by a makeshift partner Shoun Roger at the top. But the move was to backfire as Shoun tasted yet another failure in his fledgling career when Garg trapped him in front for 11. A free-scoring Kunnummal was next to go for 34 (50b, 4x4) with Suyash Prabhudesai taking a sharp catch at short leg off off-spinner Redkar.
At tea, Kerala recovered to 110-2 in 26 overs with Rohan Prem on 44 (50b, 4x4) and Rahul P on 15 (41b). Fourth ball after the tea break, offspinner Shubham Desai had Rahul P bowled around his legs for 16, pegging back the scoring rate. The Prem-Rahul P third-wicket stand realised 51 runs in good time. Redkar then claimed the big scalp of an in-form Sachin Baby cheaply for 4 as Kerala slumped to 121-4 in the 23rd over.
Two more wickets fell in quick time, with Redkar prising out Akshay Chandran (4) and his right arm offbreak twin, Desai claiming his second victim with stand-in captain Sijomon Joseph making a solitary run. The home side were looking down the barrel at 128-6 after 39 overs, but Prem and allrounder Saxena steadied Kerala. The pair was unbeaten with Prem on 68 (129b, 5x4) and Saxena on 28 (48b, 2x4) as Kerala battled to 172-6 to take a 126-run lead on a wearing surface.
