Tamil Nadu inflicted a crushing innings and 98 run defeat within two days over Kerala in their South Zone Vijay Merchant Trophy match at Kochi on Sunday. With this win Tamil Nadu finished on top of the group and won the V Pattabhiraman Trophy, the symbol of zonal supremacy. After dismissing Kerala for 70 in 28.2 overs on the opening day with paceman Tamil Kumaran taking 6-29, Tamil Nadu declared 13 overs into the second day at 282-5. Opener S Vijaya Saradhy was in a punishing mood helping himself to an unbeaten 149 (259 balls, 12 4's, 1 six). Kerala fared marginally better in their 2nd innings reaching 114 from 38.4 overs as the match ended a little over an hour after lunch. This time the main destroyer was A Mallick with 5-21 with Kumaran also having a slice of the cake (3-26).

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