Ranji Trophy: Himachal take control after Rishi Dhawan's fifer

Dharamsala: All-rounder Rishi Dhawan picked five wickets as Group C leaders Himachal Pradesh bundled out Kerala for 196 on day one of the Ranji Trophy cricket match here today.

The hosts took 73.4 overs to bowl out Kerala after opting to field at the the picturesque HPCA Stadium. Sanju Samson (30), Raiphi Gomez (32) and Basil Thampi (32) were the contributors to the modest first innings total.

It was Dhawan's second five-wicket haul of the season.

Himachal were 11 for no loss at stumps with Ankush Bains (10) and Varun Sharma (1) in the middle.

Brief scores: Kerala 196 (Sanju Samson 30, Raiphi Gomez 32 and Basil Thampi 32; Rishi Dhawan 5/57, Bipul Sharma 3/37) HP 11/0.