Jaipur: It was Sachin Baby’s valiant effort on the final day that denied Rajasthan a win and six points as the Group C Ranji Trophy match ended in a draw with hosts taking first innings lead at the SMS Stadium on Friday. The left-hand Kerala batter stood unbeaten at 81 off 139 deliveries at the end of the game.
Chasing 394 on the last day was never going to be easy, but Baby along with Sanju Samson decided to go for the kill and adopted an aggressive approach as they took on the Rajasthan bowlers with great aplomb. Captain Samson slammed a quickfire 53-ball 69 which included six 4s and three 6s. In his company, Baby too played at a certain pace, similar to the partnership they shared in the first innings. But once the Kerala captain departed in the 30th over, giving an easy catch at the first slip while facing spinner Manav Suthar, it was all about drawing the match.
Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 278/5, Rajasthan duo of Deepak Hooda and Kunal Singh Rathore continued at a brisk pace to take their partnership from 111 on the previous day to 167. It was after 25 overs being bowled on the day that Ashok Menaria declared with Rajasthan at 363/8.
Kerala are now placed third in the group with seven points from two games while Rajasthan are fourth with four points.
Brief score: Rajasthan 337 & 363/8d (Deepak Hooda 155 not out, Kunal Rathore 75; Jalaj Saxena 3/93, Sijomon Joseph 2/71) drew with Kerala 306 & 299/8 (Sanju Samson 69, Sachin Baby 81 not out; Aniket Choudhary 2/39, Manav Suthar 3/103). Rajasthan 3 points, Kerala 1.
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