The pitch turned out to be the right ally for the batters on the ultimate day and foiled Kerala’s push for an outright win because the Kerala-Assam Ranji Trophy match drifted to a draw on the ACA stadium right here on Monday.
Within the morning, Kerala wanted solely 17 balls to wrap up Assam’s first innings (in a single day 231 for seven) for 248, and the customer enforced the follow-on.
Nevertheless, the host got here up with an impeccable batting show on the pitch, which had eased out rapidly. Assam scored 212 for 3 within the second innings, with opener Rahul Hazarika making full use of the perfect batting situations to belt a century (107). Either side agreed to a draw quickly after tea. Kerala for its first-innings lead received three factors, whereas Assam needed to be glad with one level.
Assam openers Rahul and Rishav Das added 103 for the primary wicket at a quick clip. The Kerala assault wasn’t disciplined and gave sufficient scoring alternatives for the Assam openers. Rahul punished the unfastened balls to rapidly transfer to his fifty whereas Rishav lent strong help. Rishav appeared set for his fifty as nicely however Suresh Vishweshwar trapped him in entrance with a supply which stored low.
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Gokul Sharma, who had earlier introduced his retirement from first-class cricket, joined Rahul, and the 2 blunted the Kerala assault. Rahul went right into a shell as he neared his hundred and reached it by edging Nidheesh by way of the second slip previous a diving Sachin Child for a boundary.
Gokul (23) was caught by wicketkeeper Vishnu Vinod on the second try because the batter tried a cheeky paddle sweep off Jalaj Saxena. Quickly Rahul (107) departed, edging Nidheesh to the wicket-keeper however S.G. Ghadigaonkar and Riyan Parag performed out the few overs earlier than the gamers agreed for a draw.
Kerala will subsequent meet Mumbai in Thiruvananthapuram, whereas Assam will play Andhra in Dibrugarh on January 19.