Saxena, Baby hit unbeaten fifties to rescue Kerala

Jalaj Saxena (58 not out) and Sachin Baby (51 not out) put together 114 runs in their undefeated partnership to help Kerala overcome a jittery start against Hyderabad in their Ranji Trophy Group B cricket match, here today.
Opting to bat Kerala were reduced to five for one and then lost two wickets for two runs before lunch. But Baby and Saxena held fort and completed respective half-centuries to avert further slip-up.
Kerala were 223 for four at close on day one with Baby batting on 51 (6x4s), his second successive half-century of the season, while Saxena was unbeaten on 58 (11x4s).

This was also Saxena's second half-century of the season after his 69 against Jammu and Kashmir in Kalyani in the Ranji opener.
Earlier, Hyderabad got off to a positive start with Chama Milind inducing an edge from VA Jagadeesh (5) in the fourth over of the day and wicket-keeper Kolla Sumanth did the rest behind the stumps.
Opener Bhavin Thakkar (38) put on 75 runs for the second wicket with skipper Rohan Prem (41) but the duo failed to convert their starts.

It was leg-spinner Akash Bhandari (1/40) who bowled Thakkar to give the breakthrough in the third over after lunch as they lost two more quick wickets -- Sanju Samson (15) and Prem -- in the most productive session for Hyderabad.

Kerala were tottering at 120 for four at tea but Saxena and Baby batted with patience to help them avoid any further danger.
Brief Scores:
Kerala: 223 for four in 90 overs (Jalaj Saxena 58 batting, Sachin Baby 51 batting, Rohan Prem 41; Ravi Kiran 1/25).