Lucknow: Kerala got off to a flying start while chasing 177 runs against Odisha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. After six overs, the team was 66 without loss, thanks to a stellar partnership between captain Sanju Samson and Rohan Kunnummal. Rohan has been in sensational form, scoring 52 off just 25 balls with four sixes and six boundaries, while Sanju has been playing cautiously, contributing 12 runs from 12 balls.
Earlier, Odisha, who batted first after losing the toss, managed 176 runs for seven wickets. Biplab Samantre top-scored, while Sambit Baral added valuable runs to the innings. Kerala bowlers Nidish MD and KM Asif were the stars with the ball. Nidish took four wickets, while Asif claimed two crucial scalps, including Biplab. Odisha’s strong opening partnership of 48 runs between Swasthik Samal (20) and Gaurav Chaudhary (29) was broken by Nidish.
Kerala’s bowling unit managed to pull back the game after Odisha reached 75 for three, breaking partnerships and restricting the side to a modest total. Sally Samson, Sanju’s brother, bowled three overs but went wicketless, conceding 33 runs.
Kerala Playing XI: Sanju Samson (captain/wicketkeeper), Rohan Kunnummal, Vishnu Vinod, Sally Samson, Ahmed Imran, Salman Nisar, Abdul Basit, Ankit Sharma, Akhil Skaria, KM Asif, MD Nidheesh.
Odisha Playing XI: Biplab Samantre (captain), Swastik Samal, Gaurav Chaudhary, Subranshu Senapati, Prayash Singh, Saurav K Gowda, Rajesh Mohanty, Sambit Baral, Badal Biswal, Pappu Roy, Vaghish Sharma.
Kerala now looks well poised to chase the target, with Rohan and Sanju at the crease setting the tone for a potential win.
