Saurashtra’s Dharmendrasinh Jadeja can be pardoned if he thought for once he was bowling at home on the designer pitches in Rajkot. The wicket at the KCA stadium in Perinthalmanna on the first day behaved as if it was a last day’s wicket with the ball keeping low and at times gripping the surface to offer turn and bounce to the spinners.
Sixteen wickets fell on an eventful day with the host Kerala staging a fine comeback in the plate C Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra after putting up an underwhelming score in the first innings. Left-arm spinner Jadeja, who had little role to play when Ravinder Jadeja bamboozled batsmen at home, finally had his place under the sun when he bowled with enough control and guile to extract maximum returns from the helpful pitch to ambush Kerala.
Jadeja’s five for 44 was instrumental in Saurashtra dismissing the host for 166 in the first innings. Off-spinner Jivrajani (four for 61) too played the supporting role to perfection as Kerala failed to capitalise on a good start given by openers Jagadeesh and Azharuddeen.
However, at the end of the day the smiles were back in the Kerala camp as spinners — especially Monish (four for 27) — reduced the visitor to 55 for six at stumps. More than the vagaries of the pitch, the Saurashtra batsmen were foxed by balls that didn’t turn.
Monish maintained an impeccable wicket-to-wicket line and was rewarded as batsmen played for the turn. Rohan Prem chipped in with two quick scalps (two for two) as Kerala kept its hopes alive.
Earlier, in the morning Jagadeesh and Azharuddeen had a measure of Saurasthra medium pacers who were persisted in the first hour and the duo added 52 runs for the opening wicket. The rut started when Azharuddeen (14) played an ugly hoick against Jadeja in his second over and was stumped by wicketkeeper Jogyani.
Kerala then lost Rohan Prem — its prolific batsman of the season — in the same over as his hesitant prod ended in the hands of short leg.
The momentum swung and the pitch started playing tricks. Jadeja varied his length and pace on the wicket against the uncertain Kerala batsmen. Sachin Baby nervously padded up to a straight delivery and was declared lbw to Jivrajani while Sanju played and missed a sweep to be trapped in front by Jadeja.
However, Jagadeesh kept his composure as wickets fell around him and played a few pleasing shots to complete his half century. But medium pacer Jani dismissed Jagadeesh (59) to stymie Kerala’s progress.
Fabid Ahmed, who scored a century in the last match, never looked convincing in the middle, despite hitting a few lusty blows. He charged at Jadeja only to be stranded for Jogiyani to complete another stumping.
Robert Fernandez missed a straight ball from Jadeja to be caught plump in front and the tail was exposed.
The scores: Kerala — 1st innings: V.A. Jagadeesh lbw b Chirag Jani 59, Mohammed Azharuddeen st Jogiyani b D.A. Jadeja 14, Rohan Prem c Vyas b D.A. Jadeja 0, Sachin Baby lbw b V.M. Jivarajani 7, Sanju Samson lbw b D.A. Jadeja 8, Fabid Ahmed st Jogiyani bt V.M. Jivarajani 25, Robert Fernandez lbw b D.A. Jadeja 12, Akshay Chandran c & b M. Jivajani 10, M.D. Nidheesh c A. Barot b D.A. Jadeja 7, S. Warrier (not out) 0; Extras (b-10, nb-2): 12; Total (in 62.2 overs): 166.
Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-52, 3-79, 4-90, 5-120, 6-135, 7-141, 8-159, 9-160.
Saurashtra bowling: Jaydev Unadkat 11-4-19-0, S.M. Sanandia 7-3-22-0, Chirag Jani 5-1-10-1, D.A. Jadeja 20.2-6-44-5, V.M. Jivrajani 19-6-61-4.
Saurashtra — 1st innings: Mohsin Dodia lbw b Monish 23, A. Barot c Sachin b Monish 15, Sagar Jogiyani lbw b Monish 10, Jaydev Shah lbw b Rohan 1, V.M. Jivarajani lbw b Monish 1, Sheldon Jackson c Monish b Rohan 5, S. Sanandia (batting) 0, Vyas (batting) 0; Total (for six wickets in 25 overs): 55.
Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-34, 3-49, 4-50, 5-55, 6-55.
Kerala bowling: S. Warrier 4-1-13-0, Monish Kareparambil 12-4-27-4, M.D. Nideesh 2-1-2-0, Fabid Ahmed 3-0-11-0, Rohan Prem 4-2-2-2.
