Kerala closed the gap with Haryana at the top of Group C standings in the Ranji Trophy after securing bonus points for the lead in their drawn fixture at Lahli on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 253 in the final session of the fourth day, Haryana made 52/2 and settled for a draw. Kerala claimed three points from the match for taking a solid 127-run lead in the first innings, while the hosts got one point.

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After five rounds into the Ranji season, Harayan remain top of Group C with 20 points with Kerala second on 18 points, followed by Bengal on 14. Kerala's next match is against Madhya Pradesh at home starting January 23.

On Saturday, Kerala pacers exploited the conditions to bowl out Haryana for 164 in the first session, Basil Thampi joining Nidheesh M D on three wickets and Basil NP claiming two. Haryana had resumed the day at 139/7.

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In their second essay, Kerala scored at a higher run rate before declaring at 125/2. Rohan Kunnummal remained unbeaten on 62 off 91 after skipper Sachin Baby made 42 from 67.

The first half of the penultimate day belonged to Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj, who bagged a 10-wicket haul to become only the third bowler to achieve the feat in the tournament's 80-year history.

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Brief scores: Kerala 291 & 125/2 dec in 31 overs drew with Haryana 164 in 74.2 overs (Nishant Sindhu 29, Ankit Kumar 27, Nidheesh MD 3/41, Basil Thampi 3/66, Basil NP 2/28) & 52/2 (Yuvraj Singh 22)

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