KOCHI: A brilliant century from comeback man Akshay Chandran put Kerala in a position of strength on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy encounter against Jharkhand at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi on Wednesday.
After rattling up a first innings total of 475, Kerala tightened the screws on Jharkhand by snaring three wickets to reduce the hosts to 87 for three at close.
The match was evenly poised when play began on the second day as Kerala resumed at 276 for six. However, the two overnight batsmen, southpaws Akshay and Sijomon Joseph, soon put the visitors on top by forging together a 171-run stand for the seventh wicket.
While Akshay was patience personified, Sijomon played some aggressive strokes after settling down. The partnership was finally broken by Jharkhand left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, who accounted for Kerala’s new vice-captain Sijomon for 83 (153 balls, 10x4, 3x6).
Once Sijomon departed, Akshay put his pedal on the accelerator and rallied around the tail to bring up his second first-class hundred. However, he wasn’t done yet. He added an invaluable 50 more to his individual score to be the last man out and gave Kerala a first innings score which was unthinkable when play began on the second day. Akshay was out for 150, a knock that consumed 268 deliveries, and was laced with 13 fours and a six.
“When we resumed this morning, we were looking to add at least 100 more runs to the total. So happy to have added almost 200 as it is not an easy wicket to bat on. Sijomon played a good hand, so did our tailenders. So far, I would rate this as my career-best knock,” centurion Akshay Chandran said.
Basil Thampi piled on the agony over Jharkhand by removing opener Utkarsh Singh (3) in the third over. Debutant spinner Vaisakh Chandran then delivered a double blow on Jharkhand by removing Kumar Suraj (28) and Mohammad Nazim (24) in successive overs.
“Day 3 would be crucial. Though the pitch is assisting spinners, it is offering slow turn. So, our bowlers will have to be at their best to get those 20 wickets,” added Akshay.
Brief scores: Kerala 475 (Akshay Chandran 150, Sijomon Joseph 83, Rohan Prem 79, Shahbaz Nadeem 5/167) vs Jharkhand 87/3 (Kumar Suraj 28, Vaisakh Chandran 2/24)
