Ranji Trophy 2015-16: Kerala take three points on first innings lead after close draw with Jammu and Kashmir

Kerala narrowly missed out on getting the full six points against Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) in their Ranji Trophy 2015-16 opener at Sher E Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar. Kerala were chasing a mere 71 runs to win in the final innings but had just eight overs to accomplish the feat. On a worn out pitch the task was rendered out of reach and quickly realising the fact, Kerala desisted from persisting with the attempt after losing four wickets as fall of further wickets would worsen their net run rate (NRR) which can prove extremely crucial in deciding who makes it to the qualifiers. UPDATES: Jammu and Kashmir vs Kerala, Ranji Trophy 2015-16

In the first innings J & K compiled 330 runs, credit in no small part to Parvez Rasool and Bandeep Singh, who scored 54 and 82 respectively in the middle-order following a shoddy top-order performance. But the score was further boosted by a impressive knock of 73 by No. 9 Waseem Raza. READ: Ranji Trophy 2015-16: Sanju Samson’s litmus Test as Kerala captain

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J & K’s score was eclipsed easily by Kerala, who scored 485 runs thanks to hundreds from Sachin Baby and Sanju Samson. They were helped with contributions of 69 each by VA Jagadeesha and Rohan Prem. In the next innings J&K managed to only score 225 with fifties from Adil Reshi and Ian Dev Singh. Finally Kerala ended with 44 for four.