Jalaj, Ostwal shine as Maharashtra takes the lead in opposition to Kerala

Salman Nizar with the Kerala lower-order triggered a way of deja vu for Jalaj Saxena. The all-rounder was first-hand witness to epic comebacks scripted by the left-hander for the southern state final season. After an animated dialogue together with his captain, Jalaj, now turning out for Maharashtra, had a nine-man defend on the boundary strains.

Soon, Jalaj was celebrating as he caught Salman (49) on the backward-point fence, slashing at a supply from Mukesh Choudhary and Kerala (219) fell in need of Maharashtra’s first-innings complete by 20 runs.

Maharashtra had prolonged that result in 71 (51 for no loss) when dangerous gentle stopped play one hour forward of the scheduled shut. Prithvi Shaw (37 batting) and Arshin Kulkarni (14 batting) ensured that the guests negotiated the interval earlier than play ended with none alarms.

The Kerala batters did not convert their begins in opposition to a disciplined bowling effort from Maharashtra. Sanju Samson performed a composed knock of 54 however received out on the unsuitable time, backside edging left-arm spinner Vicky Ostwal to wicketkeeper Saurabh Nawale.

Sanju began positively, smacking Jalaj over the midwicket fence for a six after which square-drove Rajneesh Gurbani for a boundary. Sachin Baby, in his a hundredth Ranji match, performed second fiddle to Sanju they usually added 40 runs for the fourth wicket.

But Saurabh took a nice catch down the leg-side to finish Baby’s (seven) tenure off medium-pacer Ramakrishna Ghosh. Mohammed Azharuddeen (36) performed fluently in an innings punctuated with crisp drives. He added 57 runs for the fifth wicket with Sanju. But their dismissals in fast succession put Maharashtra in management.

Salman and Ankit Sharma added 49 runs for the seventh-wicket. Ankit (17) feathered a catch to Saurabh off Jalaj. Salman was left with the tail however Edhen Apple Tom (3) was bounced out by Mukesh and M.D. Nidheesh (4) was lured out of his crease by Jalaj. Salman couldn’t replicate his heroics once more as Kerala conceded the lead.

The scores: Maharashtra — 1st innings: 239.

Kerala — 1st innings: Akshay Chandran lbw Gurbani 0, Rohan S. Kunnummal lbw b Jalaj 27, B. Aparajith c & b Gurbani 6, Sachin Baby c Saurabh b Ghosh 7; Sanju Samson c Saurabh b Ostwal 54, Mohammed Azharuddeen c Saurabh b Ostwal 36, Salman Nizar c Jalaj b Mukesh 49, Ankit Sharma c Saurabh b Jalaj 17, Edhen Apple Tom c Saurabh b Mukesh 3, M.D. Nidheesh st Saurabh b Jalaj 4, N.P. Basil not out 0. Extras (b-5,lb-4, w-7): 16; Total (in 63.2 overs): 219.

Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-35, 3-35, 4-75, 5-132, 6-141, 7-190, 8-203, 9-208.

Maharashtra bowling: Mukesh 15.2-2-57-2, Gurbani 12-0-49-2, Jalaj 16-2-46-3, Ramakrishna Ghosh 4-0-19-1, Arshin 3-0-14-0, Ostwal 13-4-25-2.

Maharashtra — 2nd innings: Prithvi Shaw (batting) 37, Arshin Kulkarni (batting 14), Total (for no loss in 9 overs): 51.

Kerala bowling: Nidheesh 3-0-21-0, Ankit 4-0-19-0, Akshay 1-0-6-0, Basil 1-0-5-0.