Kunnummal, Akshay score resolute half-centuries

Good going: Kunnummal, in pic, and Akshay were involved in a 91-run partnership for the second wicket. | File Photo: Nirmal Harindran

After heavy smog carved away the morning session, Haryana and Kerala played out a combative day of cricket in a Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday.

Kerala ended the opening day of the fifth-round game at 138 for two, thanks to resolute fifties from opener Rohan Kunnummal and No. 3 Akshay Chandran.

Earlier, pacer Anshul Kamboj validated his captain Ankit Kumar’s decision to bowl first on a lively pitch by having B. Aparajith caught behind in the day’s first over.

Kamboj and new-ball partner Aman Kumar rarely drifted away from the stumps in the opening spell, forcing Kunnummal and Akshay to prioritise preservation.

The Kerala pair relied largely on some sharp running between the wickets to stave off the new-ball challenge, with the duo scoring only eight fours in their partnership worth 91 runs.

Kunnummal was the more assertive of the two, with the 26-year-old committing fully to the forward press, allowing him to drive when Haryana bowlers pitched it up.

From the other end, Akshay stifled the opposition with some assured defending.

As the sun finally pierced the dissipating blanket of smog, Haryana’s desire for a breakthrough began inching towards desperation.

Jayant Yadav’s introduction midway through the second session managed to disrupt Kerala’s rhythm.

The off-spinner was clever in varying his pace and release angle as he nearly got the better of both batters.

But Akshay and Kunnummal persisted with their methods, with the latter soon getting to his fifty.

Kunnummal though was dismissed soon after tea as Kamboj forced an edge out of him, which was snapped up by a diving Ankit at second slip.

Kerala skipper Sachin Baby and Akshay saw off the rest of the day, with deteriorating light forcing an early stumps call.

The scores:

Kerala — 1st innings: B. Aparajith c Hooda b Kamboj 0, Rohan Kunnummal c Ankit b Kamboj 55, Akshay Chandran (batting) 51, Sachin Baby (batting) 24, Extras (lb-7, nb-1): 8; Total (for two wkts. in 54 overs): 138.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-91.

Haryana bowling: Kamboj 13-3-25-2, Aman 12-3-36-0, Sindhu 7-0-23-0, Sumit 8-1-17-0, Jayant 14-4-30-0. Toss: Haryana.