After smashing a record-breaking double ton against Bangladesh in dead rubber third ODI, Ishan Kishan proved that his purple patch is here to say with a gutsy 132-run knock against Kerala under pressure in ongoing Ranji Trophy 2022-23 on Thursday (December 15).
Jharkhand were struggling for 114/4 after Virat Singh's wicket. Jharkhand did not suffer a batting collapse but their top order batters failed to convert their starts into big scores. Coming out to bat at no.6, Kishan joined veteran batter Saurabh Tiwary in the middle.
After Virat's wicket in the first session, Kishan stabilised the innings with Tiwary who got to his half-century. At lunch, Kishan was just four runs away for his half-century. As play resumed after lunch break, Kishan got to his fifty in no time. In the second session, Tiwary and Kishan dominated Kerala bowlers. 116 runs were scored in the second session as Kishan accelerated and got to his century. This was Kishan’s sixth century in First-Class cricket.
Jharkhand were in comfortable position before the third session as the scoreboard read 316/4. But Kishan got out Kerala spinner Jalaj Saxena forced a collapse. Tiwary missed his century by just three runs as he got bowled by Jalaj. The 32-year-old scored 97 runs from 229 deliveries including eight fours. In his next over, the off-spinner got the wicket of Kishan as well. He edged one to wicketkeeper Samson. Kishan scored 132 runs from 195 deliveries including nine fours and eight sixes.
After the set batters returned to pavillion, Jharkhand's lower-middle order and tailenders failed to put up a fight. Jalaj got the wickets of young wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra (7) and Shahbaz Nadeem (4) in one over. Basil Thampi joined the party as well with the wicket of Rahul Shukla (1) whereas tailender Ashish Kumar fell victim to Jalaj as the latter completed his five-wicket haul.
Jharkhand lost six wickets for just 24 runs and got all out for 340. At the end of Day 1's play, Kerala had a lead of 195 runs. Nadeem got the wicket of opener Rohan Kunnummal early but they scored 60/1 after 15 overs before Day 3, Stumps.
