Ranji Trophy | Chirags counter-attacking hundred places Saurashtra in command

Chirag Jani’s first century in 5 years couldn’t have come at a greater time because it gave Saurashtra a giant probability to pressure a win towards Kerala within the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match on the KCA Ground, Mangalapuram, close to right here on Monday.

Chirag’s eighth First Class hundred (152, 204b, 14×4, 4×6) carried the away aspect from a sticky 69 for 3 to a commanding 351 for 5, with an general lead of 278 runs, at stumps on the penultimate day.

In the morning, there was assist for the Kerala pacers and so they hit the precise areas to hassle the batters. Nidheesh trapped Jay Gohil (24) in entrance off the second over of the day. However, Eden Apple Tom may solely cry in anguish as AK. Akarsh, within the second slip, put down Gajjar Sammar (on 23) and Arpit Vasavada (on seven) in the identical over,

Sammar didn’t final lengthy however dropping Arpit harm Kerala because the left-hander dropped anchor so as to add 174 runs for the fourth wicket with Chirag.

The 36-year-old Chirag’s counter-attacking knock took the wind out of Kerala’s sails. As the situations grew to become extra batter-friendly, Chirag dominated the Kerala bowlers, carting them to all components of the sphere. He hit Ankit Sharma out of the assault and performed the pacers with confidence. Chirag pulled Nidheesh over midwicket for a six and lifted Ankit over the mid-on for a boundary to achieve his 100 off 149 balls. B. Aparajith broke the stand, forcing Arpit (74) to edge one to Azharuddeen behind the stumps.

However, Prerak Mankad joined Chirag to forge a fast 105-run stand for the fifth wicket which put Kerala underneath the stress. Sachin Baby dropped a easy probability at second slip to present Mankad a life after the batter had accomplished his fifty. Chirag was bowled making an attempt a cross-batted swipe towards Basil.

Bad gentle thwarted Saurashtra’s hopes of including some fast runs within the remaining session.

The scores: Saurashtra — 1st innings: 160.

Kerala — 1st innings: 233.

Saurashtra — 2nd innings: Harvik Desai c Rohan b Nidheesh 5, Gajjar Sammar b Basil 31, Jay Gohil lbw b Nidheesh 24, Arpit Vasavada c Azharuddeen b Aparajith 74, Chirag Jani b Basil 152, Prerak Mankad (batting) 52, Ansh Gosai (batting) 1; Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-3, w-3): 12; Total (for 5 wkts. in 90 overs): 351.

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-50, 3-69, 4-243, 5-348.

Kerala bowling: Nidheesh 19-2-61-2, Basil 15-3-46-2, Eden 15-2-47-0, Aparajith 20-1-73-1, Ankit 18-1-101-0, Imran 3-0-17-0.