Col CK Nayudu Trophy: Shoun shines for Kerala, despite Ranauta’s fifer

A fine unbeaten century by Kerala’s middle-order batter Shoun Roger (135) put Chandigarh on the back foot on the opening day of the Col CK Nayudu Trophy match, here today.

The visitors were 325/9 at stumps. Earlier after winning the toss, Kerala skipper Abhishek J Nair opted to bat. The side had recorded a not so great start, as they were reduced to 142/5. However, Shoun Roger and Asif Ali (74) rescued the squad by coming up with a 166-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Openers Riya Basheer and Nair gave a quick start to the side. The opening pair came up with a 66-run stand to laid a good foundation for the visitors. While the duo was well settled, Harshit came up with a much needed breakthrough for Chandigarh as he bowled Basheer (27 off 59 balls, with five boundaries). The pacer was on fire, as he picked Akarsh AK (5) to leave Kerala struggling at 76/2. Thereafter, Ivraj Ranauta turned out to be a surprise for the visitors as he put Chandigarh back on track by claiming Nair (41 off 62 balls, with four boundaries and one six), Varun Nayanar (17 off 49 balls, with one boundary and one six) and Rohan (8). As the Kerala was down to 142/5, the Chandigarh bowlers were having a gala time and was looking up to wind up the visitors under 250-mark. However, Roger got support of Ali and all planning of Chandigarh bowlers came to naught.

The duo faced 235 balls to raise a 166-run stand for the sixth wicket to help Kerala float calmly over the water. They took the total to 308, and once again Ranauta emerged from nowhere and helped Chandigarh grabbed their sixth wicket. Ali fell at 74 off 132 balls, with 12 boundaries, before giving a new lease of life to the side.

Ranauta, meanwhile, completed his five-wicket haul by stopping JS Anuraj from opening his account. As the day’s play come to an end, Kerala lads held the fort with 325 on the board. Roger posted an unbeaten 135 off 158 balls, studded with 11 boundaries and three sixes, while Edhen Apple Tom posted 9 off 49 balls, with one boundary, to help Roger stay on the crease. Ranauta claimed a fifer for 67, while Harshit grabbed 2/93 for the bowling side.