Kunnummal, Akshay rating resolute half-centuries

Good going: Kunnummal, in pic, and Akshay have been concerned in a 91-run partnership for the second wicket. | File Picture: Nirmal Harindran

After heavy smog carved away the morning session, Haryana and Kerala performed out a combative day of cricket in a Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match on the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium right here on Wednesday.

Kerala ended the opening day of the fifth-round sport at 138 for 2, because of resolute fifties from opener Rohan Kunnummal and No. 3 Akshay Chandran.

Earlier, pacer Anshul Kamboj validated his captain Ankit Kumar’s choice to bowl first on a full of life pitch by having B. Aparajith caught behind within the day’s first over.

Kamboj and new-ball companion Aman Kumar hardly ever drifted away from the stumps within the opening spell, forcing Kunnummal and Akshay to prioritise preservation.

The Kerala pair relied largely on some sharp operating between the wickets to stave off the new-ball problem, with the duo scoring solely eight fours of their partnership price 91 runs.

Kunnummal was the extra assertive of the 2, with the 26-year-old committing absolutely to the ahead press, permitting him to drive when Haryana bowlers pitched it up.

From the opposite finish, Akshay stifled the opposition with some assured defending.

Because the solar lastly pierced the dissipating blanket of smog, Haryana’s need for a breakthrough started inching in direction of desperation.

Jayant Yadav’s introduction halfway via the second session managed to disrupt Kerala’s rhythm.

The off-spinner was intelligent in various his tempo and launch angle as he practically obtained the higher of each batters.

However Akshay and Kunnummal endured with their strategies, with the latter quickly attending to his fifty.

Kunnummal although was dismissed quickly after tea as Kamboj pressured an edge out of him, which was snapped up by a diving Ankit at second slip.

Kerala skipper Sachin Child and Akshay noticed off the remainder of the day, with deteriorating gentle forcing an early stumps name.

The scores:

Kerala — 1st innings: B. Aparajith c Hooda b Kamboj 0, Rohan Kunnummal c Ankit b Kamboj 55, Akshay Chandran (batting) 51, Sachin Child (batting) 24, Extras (lb-7, nb-1): 8; Whole (for 2 wkts. in 54 overs): 138.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-91.

Haryana bowling: Kamboj 13-3-25-2, Aman 12-3-36-0, Sindhu 7-0-23-0, Sumit 8-1-17-0, Jayant 14-4-30-0. Toss: Haryana.