Two U-23 boys help Kerala pull off great escape against Saurashtra in Ranji Trophy

Kerala pulled off a great escape to secure a draw against Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy at Mangalapuram in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.

Kerala batters survived 63 overs, making 154/3 after Saurashtra taunted them with a 330-run target on the final day.

Kerala had secured the lead in the first innings, which came in handy as they will take away three points from the match. Kerala had conceded leads in their drawn matches against Maharashtra and Punjab earlier, settling for just two points combined before the Saurashtra visit.

Kerala's inability to bat through a day had been the story of their season so far, but faced with the prospect of another loss, on the back of their humiliating innings defeat to Karnataka, the hosts found two soldiers.

Kerala U-23 skipper Varun Nayanar, who was drafted into the senior squad for this particular match, stood resolute at one end, making an unbeaten 66 off 160 balls. Another young batter, Ahammed Imran, just 19, played a valiant 42 not out off 46 to help Kerala pull off the miracle.

When play resumed on the day, Saurashtra were 351/5. They scored in a hurry to declare at 402/8. Chirag Jani's 152 was the highlight of the visitors' second innings. M D Nidheesh bagged 4/83 to take his match haul to 10 wickets.

Kerala were 37/2 at lunch, with Sachin Baby continuing his poor form and walking back for 16 after Rohan S Kunnummal was dismissed cheaply (5) and U-23 opener Akarsh A K had been declared retired hurt (5). Abhishek P Nair, who came on as a concussion substitute, made 19 and returned. That was before Nayanar and Imran forged a match-saving partnership that lasted more than 80 deliveries.

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