Ranji Trophy | Madhya Pradesh sets Kerala a daunting target

Madhya Pradesh dominates Kerala in Ranji Trophy match with a blend of traditional and modern batting.

A blend of traditional and modern batting by Madhya Pradesh left Kerala with a daunting task for the final day of the Ranji Trophy cricket Elite Group-C match.

The task is looking increasingly difficult after host’s opener Akshay Chandran was castled by Kumar Kartikeya off the penultimate ball of the day’s play.

Chasing a stiff target of 363, Kerala was 28 for one at stumps on the third day with Rohan Kunnummal unbeaten on four.

Madhya Pradesh owed its supremacy to Venkatesh Iyer (80 not out off 70 balls) and his unbroken 84-run ninth-wicket stand with Avesh Khan (22 not out) demoralised the host.

Madhya Pradesh, powered by Ventakesh Iyer’s whirlwind knock and a classical 92 from Rajat Patidar, declared the second innings at 369 for eight.

Venkatesh, hampered by a twisted ankle, showed no mercy on the tiring Kerala attack and hit six sixes, three of them off consecutive deliveries from Jalaj Saxena to race to his fifty.

With as many as nine men patrolling the fence, there were easy runs on offer and both Avesh and Venkatesh helped themselves and piled the pressure with the occasional big hits.