Hyderabad, with a resolute approach, denied Kerala the additional two points it was seeking for on the fourth and final day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Pool B match at the St. Xavier’s cricket stadium in Thumba on Sunday.
At the end of day's play, Hyderabad finished at 228 for five in its unfinished first innings and thus shared a point each when the match was called off after eight mandatory overs.
It had again rained heavily last night, but with the curator Chandra Kumar and his ground staff having covered the ground completely, a prompt start was possible.
Hyderabad which had made its intentions clear through the 20 overs of play late on Saturday evening continued with its ploy to play out time but had an early setback when Tanmay Agarwal was caught up close off Akshay Chandran for 27 and the team total of 36.
However, with K. Rohit Rayadu and Himalay Agarwal pulling down all shutters, Kerala was unable to gain any success through the rest of the morning session. But soon after resumption of lunch, a terrible mix-up with his partner saw Rayadu (35) getting himself run out.
And when Himalay (48) too departed brilliantly caught by K.B. Arun Karthick in the slips of Jalaj Saxena and his replacement, T. Ravi Teja was castled by Akshay Chandran within the space of four deliveries, it looked as if Kerala would be in sight of gaining its objective of taking the innings lead.
But it was not to be so as B. Sandeep and K. Sumanth (who was off the field almost all through the initial three days, nursing an injury) came to Hyderabad’s rescue with a gallant display.
Sachin Baby, the home team captain, did his best by shuffling his bowling brigade, but on a pitch that played true, the Hyderabad pair was not to be beaten this day.
Sandeep was unbeaten on 56 and Sumanth on 42 as the curtains was pulled down. Kerala will play against Andhra next at the same venue from November 12.
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