Ranji Trophy: Rahul ton keeps Kerala in hunt against HP

NADAUN (HP): A timely maiden century by opener Rahul P (103 batting off 195 balls; 13x4, 1x6) helped Kerala stay in the contest against Himachal Pradesh in their final Elite Group B Ranji Trophy game at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Nadaun on Tuesday.
Though, he lost partners at regular intervals, Rahul stayed solid and took Kerala to 219 for five, 78 behind Himachal's first-innings total.MD Nidheesh was the other positive for Kerala.
The seamer added two more wickets to his overnight tally and completed his maiden five-wicket haul (6/88) as Himachal were bowled out for 297.
Sanju Samson (32 batting), coming in at an unusually low position at No. 7, is giving Rahul company as Kerala look to surpass the Himachal score and if possible take a sizeable lead.
The 73-run unbeaten sixth wicket stand between Rahul and Sanju has ensured that the match might turn out to be a second-innings shootout in the final two days.
"It's a fantastic effort by Rahul. Rahul has been threatening to do that for a while. Today, he did the hard work and showed his ability to bat long. He also showed his fitness and concentration levels. To his credit, the conditions were not easy," Kerala coach Dav Whatmore said.
Brief scores: Himachal Pradesh 297 in 96.1 overs (A Kalsi 101; M Nidheesh 6/88) vs Kerala 219/5 in 64 overs (P Rahul 103*, M Azharuddeen 40).