Thiruvananthapuram: Harpreet Singh Bhatia led from the front as Chhattisgarh put up a spirited fightback on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match against Kerala at the St Xavier's College Ground, Thumba, on Thursday.
Captain Harpreet made a fine 152 as the visitors were bowled out for 287 in their second innings with Jalaj Saxena claiming 6/75. Kerala need 126 to win on the final day.
Resuming on 10/2, Harpreet and Amandeep Khare took the total to 55. Khare was dismissed by off-spinner Saxena for 30.
Harpreet continued the good work along with Shashank Singh (16) as the two added 64 for the fourth wicket.
The left-hander put on 70 for the fifth wicket partnering Ajay Mandal (22) as they erased the huge first innings deficit of 162.
Harpreet, who notched up his 15th first-class hundred, eventually fell to Saxena in the final session. The 31-year-old struck 12 fours and three sixes in his 228-ball knock.
Saxena picked 11 wickets in the match. It was the 36-year-old's 25th five-for and sixth 10-wicket haul at the first-class level.
Brief scores: Chhattisgarh 149 & 287 in 89.4 overs (Harpreet Singh Bhatia 152; Jalaj Saxena 6/75, Vaisakh Chandran 2/66) vs Kerala 311.
