Hunting as a gaggle: Kerala bowlers have been unstoppable and bundled out Tripura for a mere 112.
| Photo Credit: N. Sudarshan
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.
High-flying Tripura, who had embarrassed defending champion Saurashtra not too long ago, 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.
But some fantastic rearguard motion from the decrease middle-order, led by Shreyas Gopal (41, 38b, 2×4, 3×6) helped Kerala add 100 extra runs earlier than a flawless bowling effort put paid to Tripura’s hopes.
The baby-faced 20-year-old Kerala pacer Akhin Sathar continued his fantastic present with a three-wicket haul (3/27) and was ably supported by Akhil Scaria (3/11).
Kerala speedster Akhin Sathar in motion towards Tripura on the Alur Cricket Stadium within the 2023-24 Vijay Hazare Trophy in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
N. Sudarshan
The first to go was opener Bikram Kumar Das, who edged Akhin behind and wicket-keeper Mohd. Azharuddeen accomplished a fantastic 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 contest hinged on what the skilled duo of Wriddhiman Saha and Ganesh Satish may do. But 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 expertly. But speedster Bikram Debnath bowled a splendid spell (8-2-21-2) to deliver the Northeast Indian state proper again.
Tripura speedster Bikram Debnath in motion towards Kerala on the Alur Cricket Stadium within the 2023-24 Vijay Hazare Trophy in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
N. Sudarshan
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 National selector S. Sharath saved a beady eye.
That was the lone discordant notice in an in any other case excellent day for Kerala.
