Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023/24: Sanju Samson's century goes in vain as Railways beat Kerala by 18 runs

Captain Sanju Samson's hundred went in vain as Kerala lost to Railways by 18 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Kini Sports Arena Ground on Tuesday. Sanju smashed 128 and added 138 runs with Shreyas Gopal for the fifth wicket. Kerala were 59/4 in the 18th over during the chase of 256 before Shreyas joined Sanju in the middle.

Sanju's 139-ball knock included eight fours and six sixes. He reached his hundred off 121 balls. This was the 29-year-old's second ton in List A cricket .

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Gopal hit five fours in his 63-ball stint. He was clean bowled by R K Choudhury for 53. It turned the game completely. Kerala needed 59 off the last five overs. However, losing quick wickets meant Sanju could not take them home. Left-arm medium-pacer Rahul Sharma gave away only nine while defending 27 in the final over.

Earlier, Sahab Yuvraj Singh's hundred lifted Railways to 255/5. They lost openers Shivam Chaudhary (3) and Vivek Singh (11) for 19 in the ninth over after Sanju decided to bowl first. Yuvraj and Pratham Singh added 148 for the third wicket to rescue them.

Pratham departed for a 77-ball 61, while Yuvraj Singh remained unbeaten on 121 off 136 balls. He hit 13 fours and a six. Kerala will next take on Maharashtra in the pre-quarterfinals to be played at Rajkot on Saturday.