Kerala notched up its third win of the 2023-24 Vijay Hazare Trophy by beating Tripura by a convincing 119-run margin on the Alur Cricket Stadium right here on Wednesday.
Excessive-flying Tripura, who had embarrassed defending champion Saurashtra lately, appeared poised for a repeat efficiency for a fleeting hour or two. After being put into bat, Kerala had collapsed from 95 for no loss to 131 for 5.
However some high quality rearguard motion from the decrease middle-order led by Shreyas Gopal (41, 38b, 2×4, 3×6) helped Kerala add a 100 extra runs earlier than a flawless bowling effort put paid to Tripura’s hopes.
The newborn-faced 20-year-old Kerala pacer Akhin Sathar continued his high quality present with a three-wicket haul (3/27) and was ably supported by Akhil Scaria (3/11).
The primary to go was opener Bikram Kumar Das, who edged Akhin behind and wicket-keeper Mohd. Azharuddeen accomplished a high quality low catch. One-drop Sudip Chatterjee was cleaned up by a faster one from offie Vaisakh Chandran, and Pallab Das was trapped in entrance by Scaria.
The competition hinged on what the skilled duo of Wriddhiman Saha and Ganesh Satish may do. However Scaria had Saha caught behind earlier than Akhin shut the door on Tripura’s face by dismissing Ganesh and the skilled Manisankar Murasingh throughout three balls.
Earlier, on a cool winter morning, Kerala openers Azharuddeen (58, 61b, 7×4, 1×6) and Rohan Kunnummal (44, 70b, 6×4, 1×6) blunted the Tripura assault in professional vogue. However speedster Bikram Debnath bowled a splendid spell (8-2-21-2) to deliver the Northeast Indian state proper again.
Prized amongst Debnath’s scalps was that of Sanju Samson, who was out leg-before. The Kerala skipper smashed his helmet and bat in disgust on his trudge again to the dressing room whilst Nationwide selector S. Sharath saved a beady eye.
That was the lone discordant word in an in any other case good day for Kerala.