RANJI TROPHY | Jalaj Saxena torments Uttar Pradesh with a five-wicket haul

Jalaj Saxena shines with 400 wickets and 6000 runs in Ranji Trophy as Kerala dominates Uttar Pradesh.

Jalaj Saxena’s affinity with KCA-St. Xavier’s ground continued as the off spinner picked up his 13th five wicket haul at the venue to help Kerala skittle out Uttar Pradesh for 162 in the first innings in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match here on Wednesday.

Kerala seized control after reaching 82 for two at stumps on the first day, with Baba Aparajith and night watcher Aditya Sarawate remaining unbeaten,

It was a memorable day for Jalaj, who reached a landmark of 400 wickets. He became the only player to score 6000 runs and take 400 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. It was quite a remarkable performance from Jalaj, who nearly missed the match due to fever.

The team management had called in Vysakh Chandran as a cover, but it was not needed.

Put in, the Uttar Pradesh openers Aryan Juyal and Madhav Karthik resisted Kerala’s new ball attack in the opening hour to add 29 for the first wicket. After an uneventful start to his spell, Jalaj struck when Juyal (23) played back to a ball that hastened off the pitch and was bowled. Fellow opener Kaushik (13) then tried to cut a delivery that bounced a tad higher and was caught behind by Azharuddeen.

Nithish Rana (25) attacked Jalaj, striking the spinner for a six and a boundary, but the spinner had the last laugh as he lured the batter out of his crease for Azharuddeen to do the stumping.

In between, medium pacers K.M. Asif and Basil Thampi dismissed Priyam Garg and Sameer Rizvi cheaply as Kerala took control in the post lunch session.