A highlight of Kerala’s incredible campaign in the last Ranji Trophy season, which ended in a historic final, was their ability to extract precious points from first-innings leads in matches that ended in draws.
Kerala did that valiantly toward the business end of last season, notably against Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, which ensured progress to the knockouts.
This season, Kerala have made a subdued start, failing to claim the lead in both matches played thus far. On Tuesday, Kerala conceded the lead against Punjab on Day 4 and settled for a point, while the hosts took three points for the lead. Kerala had given Maharashtra three points earlier this month after conceding a 20-run lead in the opener.
In Chandigarh, Mohammed Azharuddeen’s Kerala could have tried a little harder when they resumed at 247/6 and looked determined to overhaul Punjab’s imposing total of 436. Baba Aparajith added 12 to his overnight score and fell for 51, castled by Ayush Goyal.
Ahammed Imran and Shoun Roger, the latter on as a ‘serious injury replacement substitute’ for Salman Nizar, fell for 27. Nizar had fractured a finger earlier.
Regular opener Akshay Chandran, who had to make way for a nightwatchman on the penultimate day, came on at No 8 and remained unbeaten while Imran fell for 86 and M D Nidheesh became Krish Bhagat’s fourth wicket. Punjab made 15/0 in their second innings as the match ended in a draw.
Kerala were without ace batter Sanju Samson, who is not part of the touring squad as he has left for Australia for the upcoming T20I series. Kerala’s next two matches are at home, at Mangalauram, where they face stronger opponents in Karnataka and Saurashtra. The next match will begin on November 1.
Brief scores: Punjab 436 (Harnoor Singh 170, Prerit Dutta 72, Mayank Markande 48, Ankit Sharma 4/103, NP Basil 2/69, Baba Aparajith 2/88) drew with Kerala 371 in 136.2 overs (Ahammed Imran 86, Ankit Sharma 62, Baba Aparajith 51, Rohan Kunnummal 43, Krish Bhagat 4/52, Naman Dhir 2/88, Ayush Goyal 2/91)