Rohan Kunnummal becomes first Keralite to score a ton in Duleep Trophy

Kerala opener Rohan Kunnummal smashed a hundred on his Duleep Trophy debut for South Zone against North Zone in the semifinal at Salem on Thursday.

The right-hander brought up his fourth first-class hundred in just his sixth innings since debut off 172 balls. He reached the landmark in style with a huge straight six. 

The 24-year-old is also the first Keralite to score a ton in the Duleep Trophy. Sreekumar Nair's 95 while playing for Plate Group B against Elite Group B in the 2002-03 season was the previous best.

South Zone ended the opening day on 324/2 with captain Hanuma Vihari (107 batting) and Baba Indrajith (20 batting) at the crease.

Rohan was clean bowled for 143 by pacer Navdeep Saini with the total on 269. He hit 16 fours and two sixes in his 225-ball knock and added 167 for the second wicket with Vihari.

Rohan and Mayank Agarwal (49) put on 102 for the first wicket after Vihari opted to bat.

The 24-year-old Rohan has been on a dream run at the first-class level since the last Ranji Trophy. His scores read 107, 129, 106 not out and 75 before today's knock.