Samson.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
Rohan.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
Much as the Jharkhand batting evokes awe, its bowling sometimes is insipid and underwhelming as made out by Kerala opening batters Rohan S. Kunnummal (124, 78b, 8×4, 11×6) and Sanju Samson (101, 95b, 9×4, 3×6) who smashed centuries to propel their side to an eight-wicket win in a Vijay Hazare Trophy Group-A match at the ADSA Railways cricket ground here on Saturday.
The target of 312 was chased comfortably as Rohan and Samson tore into the Jharkhand attack, adding 212 for the first wicket. After the openers left, B. Aparajith (41 n.o.) and Vishnu Vinod (40 n.o.) completed the formalities in the 43rd over.
The whirlwind centuries from the openers eclipsed a well-paced knock from Kumar Kushagra (143 n.o., 137b, 8×4, 7×6). Kushagra forged a 176-run alliance with Anukul Roy (72, 72b, 4×4, 3×6) for the fifth wicket as Jharkhand recovered from 111 for four in the 21st over to post a challenging total of 311.
However, Rohan and Samson killed the contest in the PowerPlay with a blazing start. Rohan was the enforcer, hitting the seamers through the line and striking fours and sixes. Samson, after a circumspect start, found his range and handled the spinners with aplomb in the middle overs to turn the chase into a breeze.
Tamil Nadu collapsed dramatically against Rajasthan to suffer its fourth defeat of the campaign. Chasing a modest target of 226, Tamil Nadu was cruising as openers S.R. Athish (54, 50b, 4×4, 3×6) and N. Jagadeesan (71, 52b, 13×4) were involved in a 121-run partnership.
However, medium-pacer Ashok Sharma (five for 58) and left-arm spinner Manav Suthar (three for 44) picked up wickets regularly as Tamil Nadu slipped to 190 for eight. Washington Sundar (36) and Varun Chakaravarthy (six) figured in a 25-run ninth wicket stand to raise hopes. But, an inspired bowling change saw Deepak Hooda dismiss Varun, and Khaleel Ahmed gave Rajasthan a memorable 10-run win by snaring Washington.
The Karnataka juggernaut rolled imperiouslyon as the champion crushed Tripura by 80 runs.
Devdutt Padikkal smashed another century (108, 120b, 8×4, 3×6) while Abhinav Manohar (73 n.o., 43b, 6×4, 4×6) finished with a flourish as Karnataka piled up 332 for seven. Tripura was never in the hunt, collapsing to 59 for five and managing to reach 252 through Swapnil Singh (100, 93b, 7×4, 2×6).
