Kannur: Table-toppers Himachal Cricket team has lost its Ranji Trophy – Group C match against Kerala at Conor Vayal Stadium, Tellicherry, Kannur. Chasing meager 195, Himachal batsmen bowled out on just 134 and fell short by 61 runs.
Prashant Chopra contributed 36 runs; Rishi Dhawan made 33, whereas four of its recognized batsmen couldn’t reach to the double figure.
When the game started today, Himachal needed 86 with the three wickets in the hand, but its batsmen could add 25 runs. First to depart today was Captain Rishi Dhawan, who made 33 runs on the team score 111 in 33.4 over. Malik and Bhatia also could not resist more and got out adding just 23 more runs to the board.
Despite losing to Kerala, Himachal still table-toppers of Group C, but wide visible chinks in its batting lineup can dash its hope to make big in this tournament. Although it was difficult wicket to bat, yet chasing 195, a run an over putting question mark on its batsmen potential. To put a good show in this prestigious tournament, Himachal will have to settle its opener problem as early as possible ad its middle order will also have to share the responsibility.
Brief score:
Kerala 1st innings: 214 in 56.1 over
Vinoop Manoharan-71 and V Jagadeesh 56, Vishal Bhatia 5/63
Kerala 2nd innings: 155 in 44.3 over
Sachin Body- 43, Bipul Sharma 4/32
Himachal 1st innings: 174 in 40.3 over
Bipul Sharma 53, Padmanabhan Prasanth 7/54
Himachal 2nd innings: 134 in 39.2 over
Prashant Chopra 36, Vinoop Manoharan 5/43
