Hooda’s second century of the match put Rajasthan in a strong position

Rajasthan fast bowler Aniket Chaudhary took the 13th five-wicket haul of his career. , Photo Credit: File photo: M. Periyasamy

Deepak Hooda’s dream year continues.

This year he made his India debut in both the shorter formats and scored a lot of runs in the IPL for Lucknow Super Giants. He now has a double century on his return to first-class cricket.

His second century of the match put Rajasthan in a strong position on the third day of their Ranji Trophy match against Kerala at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Worryingly for the visitors, Hooda would return to the middle on Friday, batting on 106 (122b, 6×4, 3×6) on the final morning.

Rajasthan had taken a lead of 309 runs at stumps by scoring 278 runs for five wickets. Hooda, who scored 133 in the first innings, has so far put on 111 runs for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Kunal Rathor (48 batting, 3×4, 1×6).

Before that, another excellent spell by Jalaj Saxena had put Rajasthan in trouble. The off-spinner dismissed openers Yash Kothari (24, 30b) and Mahipal Lomror in successive deliveries. In his next over, he dismissed Salman Khan to send Rajasthan back to 49 for three. But, the other opener Abhijeet Tomar (68, 157b, 6×4) was cautious till he was trapped leg before by left-arm spinner Sijoman Joseph.

Earlier, Kerala, who started their first innings at 268 for eight, were bundled out for 306, taking a 31-run lead. ,

Sachin Baby remained unbeaten on 139 (217b, 18×4).

Score:

Rajasthan – 1st innings: 337.

Kerala – 1st innings: P. Rahul b Aniket 10, Rohan Prem c Rathor b Aniket 18, Shaun Roger c Menaria b Aniket 0, Sachin Baby (n) 139, Sanju Samson c Salman b Suthar 82, Akshay Chandran run out 5, Jalaj Saxena c sub (Shubham ) B Nagarkoti 21, Sijomon Joseph C Nagarkoti b Suthar 10, Basil Thampi lbw B Suthar 0, F Phanus b Aniket 0, MD Nidhish b Aniket 4; extras (b-8, lb-9) 17; Total (in 82.5 overs): 306.

Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-28, 3-31, 4-176, 5-194, 6-222, 7-264, 8-268, 9-292.

Rajasthan bowling: Aniket 20.5-1-85-5, Arafat 11-4-31-0, Nagerkoti 9-1-43-1, Suthar 25-2-87-3, Lomror 14-0-39-0, Tomar 3-2- 4-0.

Rajasthan – 2nd innings: Yash Kothari b Jalaj 24, Abhijeet Tomar lbw b Sijoman 68, Mahipal Lomror c Shaun b Jalaj 0, Salman Khan b Jalaj 0, Ashok Menaria c Rahul b Thampi 19, Deepak Hooda (bat) 106, Kunal Rathor (bat) 48; extras (b-9, lb-3, w-1) 13; Total (for five wickets in 76 overs): 278.

Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-47, 3-49, 4-94, 5-167.

Kerala bowling: Thampi 6-0-27-1, Jalaj 22-2-79-3, Fanoos 15-2-49-0, Nidish 10-2-27-0, Sijomon 15-0-56-1, Akshay 7-0- 24-0, Sean 1-0-4-0.