Rajkot: Opener Rohan S Kunnummal made history as Kerala scored an exciting eight-wicket win over Gujarat in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match here on Sunday. The 23-year-old became the first Kerala batter to score three successive hundreds in as many innings in the Ranji Trophy.
Rohan had scored back to back hundreds by notching up 129 in the first innings after his 107 against Meghalaya in the opener. The right-hander continued his merry run in the second innings as well.
Rohan's unbeaten 106 was laced with 12 fours and three sixes off 87 balls.
Chasing a 214-run target in 41 overs, Kerala were home and dry with 5.2 overs remaining on the final day.
The second successive win took Kerala to joint top spot in the group along with Madhya Pradesh. Both teams have 13 points each and will play in their final group match from Thursday. Only the group toppers will progress to the knockout phase.
Rohan and captain Sachin Baby, who walked in at No. 3, added 143 for the second wicket off 135 balls.
Sachin was caught by Kathan Patel off Siddharth Saxena's bowling for 62 with the total on 170. The left-hander hit five fours and two sixes in his 76-ball knock.
The two were involved in a century stand for the third wicket in the first innings.
Earlier, Umang Kumar and Karan Patel helped Guajarat post 264 in the second innings.
Gujarat, who resumed on 128/5, were bowled out for 264 after lunch.
Umang (70) and Karan (81) kept the Kerala bowlers at bay in the morning session. They added 138 for the sixth wicket.
Once Karan was dismissed by Sijomon Joseph, the hosts lost their last five wickets for just 42 runs.
Spinners Jalaj Saxena (4/57) and Sijomon (3/48) were the main wicket-takers for Kerala.
Brief scores: Gujarat 388 and 264 in 85.5 overs (Karan Patel 81, Umang Kumar 70; Jalaj Saxena 4/57, Sijomon Joseph 3/48) lost to Kerala 439 and 214/2 in 35.4 overs (Rohan S Kunnummal 106 not out, Sachin Baby 62).
Points: Kerala 6; Gujarat 0.
