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Sanju Samson’s Kerala got knocked out of Vijay Hazare Trophy after a comprehensive loss by seven wickets to Services in the quarter-final game. Only three Kerala batters scored in double digits as they suffered a major batting collapse and managed to score just 175 runs before getting bundled out.
Rohan Kunnummal turned out to be the only Kerala batter who made an impact. Opener Kunnummal batted till the 37th over and scored 87 runs from 106 deliveries including seven fours and two sixes. Kerala did not get off to the best of starts as they lost opener Mohammed Azharuddeen for a single-digit score. Jalaj Saxena came to bat at no.3 but got out for a golden duck. Diwesh Pathania got both wickets with the new ball.
Kunnummal and Vinoop Manoharan helped Kerala recover with the 81-run partnership for the third wicket. With Manoharan’s wicket in the 25th over, Kerala were under the pressure again. Sachin Baby scored in double digits but could not build on the start he got. Baby’s wicket in the 31st over triggered a batting collapse. Batting at no.6, Samson scored just two runs off eight deliveries. From 135/3, Kerala got bundled out for 175 in the 41st over. For Kerala, Pathania took three wickets for 19 runs in eight overs including two maidens.
Defending a low total, Kerala got exactly what they needed in form of two early wickets in second over. Unnikrishnan Manukrishnan took two wickets in six overs he bowled and conceded 23 runs. However, the partnership between opener Ravi Chauhan and skipper Rajat Paliwal ruled out Kerala’s comeback. Chauhan missed his half-century and got out for 95 off 90 deliveries. His match-winning knock in the run chase including 13 fours and three sixes. Paliwal remained unbeaten for 65 off 86 deliveries playing the perfect captain’s knock after the initial scare.
Services will now face Rishi Dhawan’s Himachal Pradesh in the first semi-final of the 50-over domestic tournament on December 24 at Sawai Mansingh stadium, Jaipur. If Services manage to beat Himachal Pradesh in the semi-final, they will qualify for their first Vijay Hazare Trophy final.
