Chirag dominated the Kerala bowlers, carting them to all parts of the field.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Chirag Jani’s first century in five years couldn’t have come at a better time as it gave Saurashtra a big chance to force a win against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B match at the KCA Ground, Mangalapuram, near here on Monday.
Chirag’s eighth First Class hundred (152, 204b, 14×4, 4×6) carried the away side from a sticky 69 for three to a commanding 351 for five, with an overall lead of 278 runs, at stumps on the penultimate day.
In the morning, there was help for the Kerala pacers and they hit the right areas to trouble the batters. Nidheesh trapped Jay Gohil (24) in front off the second over of the day. However, Eden Apple Tom could only cry in anguish as A.K. Akarsh, in the second slip, put down Gajjar Sammar (on 23) and Arpit Vasavada (on seven) in the same over,
Sammar didn’t last long but dropping Arpit hurt Kerala as the left-hander dropped anchor to add 174 runs for the fourth wicket with Chirag.
The 36-year-old Chirag’s counter-attacking knock took the wind out of Kerala’s sails. As the conditions became more batter-friendly, Chirag dominated the Kerala bowlers, carting them to all parts of the field. He hit Ankit Sharma out of the attack and played the pacers with confidence. Chirag pulled Nidheesh over midwicket for a six and lifted Ankit over the mid-on for a boundary to reach his 100 off 149 balls. B. Aparajith broke the stand, forcing Arpit (74) to edge one to Azharuddeen behind the stumps.
However, Prerak Mankad joined Chirag to forge a quick 105-run stand for the fifth wicket which put Kerala under the pressure. Sachin Baby dropped a simple chance at second slip to give Mankad a life after the batter had completed his fifty. Chirag was bowled trying a cross-batted swipe against Basil.
Bad light thwarted Saurashtra’s hopes of adding some quick runs in the final session.
The scores: Saurashtra — 1st innings: 160.
Kerala — 1st innings: 233.
Saurashtra — 2nd innings: Harvik Desai c Rohan b Nidheesh 5, Gajjar Sammar b Basil 31, Jay Gohil lbw b Nidheesh 24, Arpit Vasavada c Azharuddeen b Aparajith 74, Chirag Jani b Basil 152, Prerak Mankad (batting) 52, Ansh Gosai (batting) 1; Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-3, w-3): 12; Total (for five wkts. in 90 overs): 351.
Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-50, 3-69, 4-243, 5-348.
Kerala bowling: Nidheesh 19-2-61-2, Basil 15-3-46-2, Eden 15-2-47-0, Aparajith 20-1-73-1, Ankit 18-1-101-0, Imran 3-0-17-0.
Published – November 10, 2025 06:39 pm IST
