Thiruvananthapuram: Delhi came with a much better batting performance in their second innings after being forced to follow on by Kerala on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match at the St Xavier's College Ground, Thumba, on Wednesday. The visitors, who were shot out for 142 in their first innings, ended the penultimate day on 142/1. They still trail Kerala by 241 runs.
Resuming on 23/2, Delhi's first innings folded up for 142 in 62.4 overs as off-spinner Jalaj Saxena scalped 6/63. Kerala, who declared their first innings on 525/9, thus gained a huge lead of 383.
Saxena, who had returned a match haul of 9/88 in Kerala's innings win over Delhi last year at the same venue, struck a big blow by removing Dhruv Shorey (19). The Delhi skipper added 42 for the third wicket along with Nitish Rana (25).
Delhi lost wickets in a heap once Shorey departed and slumped to 75/6 from 59/2. Left-arm spinner K S Monish accounted for Rana.
Saxena, who will turn 33 on Sunday, dismissed Pradeep Sangwan to complete his his 18th five-wicket haul in first class cricket.
Left-arm spinner Sijomon Joseph wrapped up the Delhi innings as he ended Navdeep Saini fighting knock of 25.
Kerala skipper Sachin Baby had no hesitation in asking Delhi to bat again.
However, the Delhi openers Anuj Rawat and Kunal Chandela fared much better in their second essay. The two added 130 before Rawat (87) fell to Sachin's part-time off-spin. His 103-ball knock was laced with 10 fours and three sixes. Chandela (51 batting) and Shorey (2 batting) made sure Delhi did not suffer any further loss going into the final day.
Brief scores: Kerala 525/9 declared vs Delhi 142 in 62.4 overs (Nitish Rana 25, Navdeep Saini 25; Jalaj Saxena 6/63, Sijomon Joseph 2/7) and 142/1 in 38 overs (Anuj Rawat 87, Kunal Chandela 51 batting).
