Ranji Trophy: Vishnu Vinod's fifty lifts Kerala

Alappuzha: Vishnu Vinod (74) lifted Kerala to 220/6 in reply to Uttar Pradesh's first innings total of 302 at stumps on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match here on Saturday. The hosts trail UP by 82 runs.

Kerala lost opener Krishna Prasad for a duck off the very first ball of the innings. Rohan Kunnummal (11) and Rohan Prem (14) too did not last long.

Vishnu and Sachin Baby (38) added 99 for the fourth wicket. Kuldeep Yadav broke the stand by dismissing Sachin.The left-arm wrist spinner also sent back Vishnu. 

Vishnu hit five fours and four sixes in his 94-ball innings. Shreyas Gopal (36 batting) and captain Sanju Samson (35) put on 57 for the sixth wicket. 

Sanju, who came in to bat at No. 7, was caught behind off Yash Dayal's bowling. Jalaj Saxena (6 batting) was giving Saxena company at stumps.

Earlier, Rinku Singh missed out on a hundred as Kerala bowled UP out for 302 in the first session. Resuming on 244/5, UP lost their last five wickets for the addition of 58 runs.

Dhruv Jurel fell for 63 off Basil Thampi's bowling. The wicketkeeper hit five fours and a six in his 123-ball knock. Jurel added 143 along with Rinku to save UP after they had slumped to 124/5.

Saurabh Kumar was run out for 20. Rinku was denied an eighth first-class ton as pacer M D Nidheesh forced him to edge one to Vishnu Vinod behind the stumps. The left-hander hit eight fours and two sixes in his 136-ball 92.

Nidheesh (3/68) was the most successful Kerala bowler, while offie Saxena and Basil scalped two each. 

Brief scores: UP 302 in 83.4 overs (Rinku Singh 92, Dhruv Jurel 63, Priyam Garg 44; M D Nidheesh 3/68, Jalaj Saxena 2/65, Basil Thampi 2/83) vs Kerala 220/6 in 65 overs (Vishnu Vinod 74; Kuldeep Yadav 3/66).