Ranji Trophy: Andhra end Day 1 on 260/7 against Kerala

Vizianagaram: Fiftites by opener K Maheep Kumar and captain Ricky Bhui lifted Andhra to 260/7 at stumps on the opening day of their final Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Kerala here on Friday.

Opener K Revanth Reddy was dismissed for a duck by Basil Thampi after Bhui opted to bat.

Debutant medium-pacer Akhil Scaria sent back Ashwin Hebbar for 28. K Maheep and Hebbar added 48 for the second wicket.

Off-spinner Vaisakh Chandran accounted for Maheep (81) and Hanuma Vihari (24) in the post-lunch session. 

Bhui has hit 12 fours in his 133-ball unbeaten 79.

Vaisakh and Thampi clamied two wickets each for Kerala.

Andhra have already booked their place in the quarterfinals, while Kerala have bowed out.

Sachin Baby is captaining Kerala in the absence of Sanju Samson who has been granted rest.

Brief scores: Andhra 270/4 in 89.3 overs (K Maheep Kumar 81, Ricky Bhui 79 batting; Basil Thampi 2/42, Vaisakh Chandran 2/78) vs Kerala.