Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage of Day two of the Group C game of the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy between Kerala and Saurshtra live from Perinthalmanna Cricket Stadium, Malappuram. Kerala won the toss yesterday and elected to bat first. However, their decision appeared to be wrong as they were bowled out for a paltry 166. Only one of their batmen— VA Jagadeesh made a fifty. Saurashtra bowlers— DA Jadeja and VM Jivrajani took five and four wickets respectively. Kerala showed resilience in their bowling and reduced Saurashtra to 55 for the loss of six wickets at stumps on day one. Monish Kareparambil and Rohan Prem led Kerala’s onslaught by picking four and two wickets respectively. Warrier, who bowled brilliantly in his last game by picking nine wickets, did not get enough opportunity to bowl yesterday. It will be interesting to see how Kerala batsmen tackle Warrier today. Complete coverage of Ranji Trophy 2015-16
Saurashtra are table toppers in Group C while Kerala are three places down at fourth position. Saurashtra have played six matches in which they won four and drew two. They have 29 points while Kerala are way behind at 19. Kerala too has played six games, winning and losing one game while they drew the remaining four matches. Hence, considering overall performance in the tournament, Saurashtra are certainly the superior team in the tournament. However, if we take a look at Saurashtra’s performance in the last match compared to that of Kerala’s, the latter played better. Kerala won their last game convincingly by an innings and 83 runs. On the other hand, Saurashtra drew their last match and since they conceded a first innings lead, they got just one point from the match.
Playing XI:
Kerala: Sanju Samson (C)(W), VA Jagadeesh, Fabid Ahmed, Rohan Prem, Sachin Baby, Warrier, Akshay Chandran, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Nidheesh MD, Monish Kareparambil, Robert
Saurashtra: AA Barot, Chirag Jani, Dharmendrasinh Aniruddsinh Jadeja, Jaydev Shah (C), Sagar Jogiyani (W), Shaurya M Sanandia, Sheldon Jackson, VM Jivrajani, Samarth Vyas, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohsin Dodia