Ranji Trophy: Kerala reach final courtesy narrow two-run lead
21 Feb 2025

Kerala have advanced to the final of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 courtesy of a narrow two-run lead in the first innings over Gujarat.

The semi-final match took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and it saw several twists and turns.

Responding to Kerala's first innings total of 457, Gujarat ended Day 4 at 429/7, trailing by just 28 runs.

However, they were folded for 455 on Day 5 morning, allowing Kerala to qualify for their maiden final.

Centurion Azharuddeen starred in first innings
1st innings

Kerala posted 457/10 while batting first. While skipper Sachin Baby made 69 runs, Mohammed Azharuddeen's brilliant 177 powered the team.

Azharuddeen and Salman Nizar (52) put up a solid 149-run stand for the sixth wicket after Baby was dismissed early on Day 2.

Arzan Nagwaswalla dismissed three batters as Kerala batted for more than six sessions.

Patel and Panchal boost Gujarat's score
Crucial partnership

Speaking of the second innings, Gujarat were powered by their openers Priyank Panchal (148) and Aarya Desai (73).

However, a sudden collapse meant the team went from 238/1 to 325/6.

Jaymeet Patel (79) and Siddharth Desai (30) then showed great character as their 79-run stand for the eighth wicket took Gujarat past 400.

However, Aditya Sarwate took all three remaining wickets on Day 5 morning, powering Kerala to the final.

Kerala's decisive moment and aftermath
Moment

The defining moment for Kerala arrived when Sarwate bowled a delivery which Arzan Nagwaswalla tried to hit.

However, the ball ricocheted off Salman Nizar's helmet and was caught by Baby.

This sent the Kerala team into wild celebrations as they relished the taste of their first-ever Ranji final.

Post-match, Nizar was taken for a concussion check as Kerala's batters regrouped to play out the rest of the match on the final day.

Saxena, Sarwate's bowling efforts and match outlook
Bowling performance

It must be noted that if there's no outright result in a knock-out Ranji Trophy match, the team leading after the first innings is declared the winner.

Hence, it was necessary for Kerala to restrict Gujarat. Sarwate and Jalaj Saxena took the onus and claimed four wickets each.

Kerala were 114/4 in their second innings before the game was called off in the final session of Day 5.

Patel's impressive debut season in First-Class cricket
Debut performance

Jaymeet Patel, who made his First-Class debut at the start of this season, has been mighty impressive.

Playing his ninth game, he has scored 661 runs at an average of 50.84, as per ESPNcricinfo. This includes two centuries and five half-centuries.

His 79 off 177 balls in the third innings speaks volumes of his consistent performance throughout the season.

Azharuddeen's second First-Class hundred
Azharuddeen

Azharuddeen made an unbeaten 177 off 341 balls (20 fours, 1 six).

This was Azharuddeen's maiden hundred in the ongoing 2024-25 Ranji Trophy.

Playing his ninth game, he has raced to 601 runs at a brilliant average of 75.12.

The tally also includes four fifties.

Overall, this was Azharuddeen's second First-Class hundred.

Playing his 34th match, he has raced to 1,766 runs at 36.04 (50s: 11).

28th fifty for Baby in FC cricket
Baby

Baby smoked eight fours en route to his 195-ball 69 in the first innings.

The southpaw smashed his 16th First-Class fifty, as per ESPNcricinfo.

Playing his 99th FC match, he now owns 14 tons and 28 fifties. He has raced to 5,649 runs at 39.50.

418 of his runs have come in the ongoing season at 32.15. This was his fourth fifty.

29th FC ton for Panchal
Panchal

Panchal made 148 from 230 balls in the second innings (18 fours, 1 six).

He currently owns 8,856 runs in First-Class cricket at an average of 45.18, as per ESPNcricinfo.

This was his 29th ton. He also owns 34 fifties. In the ongoing Ranji season, he has raced to 433 runs at 39.36. This was his second ton. He also owns a fifty.

Four-fer for Jalaj Saxena
Saxena

Saxena delivered a fine spell for Kerala, claiming 4/149 from 71 overs.

With this four-wicket haul against Bihar, Saxena now owns 482 FC wickets at an average of 25.21.

He also now boasts 17 four-wicket hauls besides 34 five-wicket hauls across 146 matches (10WM: 10).

In the ongoing season, the spinner has raced to 38 wickets at 18.97.

Four wickets for Sarwate as well
Fact

Sarwate was the pick of the Kerala bowlers, returning with 4/111 across 45.4 overs. The left-arm spinner has now raced to 306 First-Class wickets across 69 games at 19.25. This was his 15th four-wicket haul (5W: 21, 10WM: 3). He has scalped 30 wickets in the ongoing tourney at 42.23.