Ranji Trophy: Saurashtra take slender seven-run lead over Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Robin Uthappa hit 86 as Saurashtra managed to take a slender seven-run first innings lead over Kerala, scoring 232 all out on the second day of their Group B Ranji Trophy match on Saturday.
After bundling out Kerala for 225, Saurashtra struggled to post 232 before their first innings folded.
At stumps, Kerala were 69 for one in their second innings with Jalaj Saxena unbeaten on 29 and Rohan Prem on 27.
Resuming on 37 for no loss, overnight batsman Uthappa, starting on 20, went on to score 86 off 120 deliveries studded with 10 boundaries and five sixes.
Uthappa's partner Snell Patel added 33 runs to his last night's score of 16 before falling for a 78-ball 49, including eight fours. The two added 107 runs for the opening wicket.
After Patel's departure, Uthappa continued to score runs in the company of Avi Barot (7).
But Barot's dismissal triggered a collapse and Saurashtra lost six wickets for just an addition of 34 runs.
Lower down the order, Jay Chauhan (30 not out) and Jaydev Unadkat (26) steadied the boat, putting on 45 runs to take the Saurashtra's score past 220-run mark.
Eventually Saurashtra could take only seven-run lead.
For Kerala, Sijomon Joseph finished with figures of four for 43 while Basil Thampi chipped in with three for 36.
Brief scores:
Kerala: 225 & 69/1 in 19 overs
Saurashtra 1st innings: 232 all out in 78.5 overs (Robin Uthappa 86, Snell Patel 49; Sijomon Joseph 4/43, Basil Thampi 3/36).