Andhra speedster B. Ayyappa, who took three wickets and made one run out against Kerala, during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Bengaluru on Thursday, November 17, 2022. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Andhra recorded a fine 76-run victory over Kerala to put itself back in contention for the knockout stages of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday.
Chasing 260, Kerala’s top-order was rocked by speedsters M. Harishankar Reddy (2/24) and B. Ayyappa (3/41). The in-form batters, including Rohan S. Kunnummal, perished cheaply as their side were reduced to 26/4.
Sachin Baby (35, 59b, 2×4) and Akshay Chandran (41, 72b, 1×4) steadied the ship with a 63-run partnership for the fifth wicket. But Hanuma Vihari’s part-time off-spin earned Andhra the breakthrough as Baby dragged a wide delivery onto his stumps.
Ayyappa then produced a fine throw from deep backward square-leg to run out Akshay to knock the wind out of Kerala’s sails.
On a roll: Runs continue to flow from Jagadeesan’s willow with Haryana facing his wrath on Saturday, November 18, 2022 at the Alur ground in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: File photo
Earlier, after shopping the field, Kerala looked in control, dismissing six Andhra batters for 184 in the 39th over. But late progress from K. Nithish Kumar Reddy (31, 28b, 2×4, 1×6) and the bottom-four (48 combined runs) got the total past 250, which eventually proved more than enough. .
At Alur, N. Jagadeesan scored his fourth successive List A century (128, 123b, 6×4, 6×6) as Tamil Nadu handed table-topping Haryana its first defeat of the campaign – a comprehensive 151 -run loss.
Sai Sudharsan once played a perfect foil to Jagadeesan in a well-crafted half-century for Tamil Nadu at the Alur ground in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: File Photo: Sudhakara Jain
Wicketkeeper batter Jagadeesan effected five dismissals to go along the way, the second time he has achieved the twin division this season (first against Andhra).
After being put into bat, the Tamil Nadu opening duo of Jagadeesan and B. Sai Sudharsan (67, 74b, 5×4, 1×6) put on their fourth century partnership (151 runs) in quick succession.
Sharukh Khan’s timely knock at the fag end got Tamil Nadu back on track. | Photo Credit: File photo: R. RAGU
A collapse ensued, as the side lost four wickets for 35 runs. But M. Shahrukh Khan’s 46 (54b, 5×4) brought Tamil Nadu back before the bowlers, like brothers who believe in sharing and caring, shared the wickets evenly to deliver the defeat.
