455/10 (174.4)
CR : 2.60
RR : 0.00
Match Drawn
Player of the Match
Mohammed Azharuddeen
177(341)
Match Drawn
3:27 PM| GAME OVER! The Match Ends in a Draw but that doesn't matter for Kerala. They have created history as they are through to their first ever Ranji Trophy Final. It was a gritty, hard-fought battle, but Kerala held their nerves and played smart cricket to deny Gujarat any late drama. The celebrations have begun, and rightly so! This was destiny in the making for Kerala.
So here is the entire recap of the Test match, Kerala won the all important toss and opted to bat first at the Narendra Modi Stadium, looking to capitalize on a good batting wicket. The visitors got off to a solid start, with Akshay Chandran and Rohan Kunnummal putting together a 60-run opening stand.
However, just when things were looking settled, a poor mix-up in the middle led to Akshay’s unfortunate run-out, breaking the partnership. Gujarat got their much-needed breakthrough, but Kerala still had a strong platform to build on.
Sachin Baby (69) played a crucial hand in the middle, but it was Mohammed Azharuddeen (177*) who completely stole the show! His big daddy hundred powered Kerala to a massive first-innings total. The defining moment of the innings was the mammoth 6th-wicket partnership between Azharuddeen and Salman Nizar, which ensured Kerala went past the 400-run mark.
Vishal Jayswal finally broke the stand, dismissing Nizar for 52, and from there, Gujarat’s bowlers quickly ran through the tail. Kerala were eventually bundled out for 457 in the morning session of Day 3. Arzan Nagwaswalla (3/81) was the pick of the bowlers for Gujarat.
Gujarat gave a fitting reply to Kerala’s massive first-innings total with a brilliant start. Aarya Desai and Priyank Panchal put on a superb 131-run opening stand, laying a solid foundation. By the end of Day 3, Gujarat were in command at 222/1, looking strong to challenge Kerala’s total.
But Day 4 belonged to Kerala! They fought back hard, picking up wickets at regular intervals, not allowing Gujarat to settle. The hosts kept losing key partnerships, struggling to get close to the 457-run mark. At one stage, they were 357/5, still trailing, before Jaymeet Patel and Siddharth Desai came to the rescue! Their gritty partnership ensured that Day 5 would be a thriller!
Heading into the final day, Gujarat needed just 28 runs to take the all-important first-innings lead, while Kerala needed three wickets to keep their dream alive! What a nerve-wracking, edge-of-the-seat thriller at the Narendra Modi Stadium! Kerala defied all expectations, held their composure, and scripted history with a sensational turnaround.
Trailing for most of the game, they snatched the crucial first-innings lead by just 2 runs, ensuring their place in the Ranji Trophy Final for the very first time. Aditya Sarwate picked up the 3 wickets today morning and the entire Kerala camp went berserk as they booked their spot in the Ranji Trophy Final.
The experienced Jalaj Saxena stood tall when it mattered the most! He remained unbeaten on 37, soaking up all the pressure and ensuring there were no hiccups for Kerala. With his calm and composed approach, he guided Kerala to a historic first-ever Ranji Trophy Final as the match ended in a hard-fought draw. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
So here is the entire recap of the Test match, Kerala won the all important toss and opted to bat first at the Narendra Modi Stadium, looking to capitalize on a good batting wicket. The visitors got off to a solid start, with Akshay Chandran and Rohan Kunnummal putting together a 60-run opening stand.
However, just when things were looking settled, a poor mix-up in the middle led to Akshay’s unfortunate run-out, breaking the partnership. Gujarat got their much-needed breakthrough, but Kerala still had a strong platform to build on.
Sachin Baby (69) played a crucial hand in the middle, but it was Mohammed Azharuddeen (177*) who completely stole the show! His big daddy hundred powered Kerala to a massive first-innings total. The defining moment of the innings was the mammoth 6th-wicket partnership between Azharuddeen and Salman Nizar, which ensured Kerala went past the 400-run mark.
Vishal Jayswal finally broke the stand, dismissing Nizar for 52, and from there, Gujarat’s bowlers quickly ran through the tail. Kerala were eventually bundled out for 457 in the morning session of Day 3. Arzan Nagwaswalla (3/81) was the pick of the bowlers for Gujarat.
Gujarat gave a fitting reply to Kerala’s massive first-innings total with a brilliant start. Aarya Desai and Priyank Panchal put on a superb 131-run opening stand, laying a solid foundation. By the end of Day 3, Gujarat were in command at 222/1, looking strong to challenge Kerala’s total.
But Day 4 belonged to Kerala! They fought back hard, picking up wickets at regular intervals, not allowing Gujarat to settle. The hosts kept losing key partnerships, struggling to get close to the 457-run mark. At one stage, they were 357/5, still trailing, before Jaymeet Patel and Siddharth Desai came to the rescue! Their gritty partnership ensured that Day 5 would be a thriller!
Heading into the final day, Gujarat needed just 28 runs to take the all-important first-innings lead, while Kerala needed three wickets to keep their dream alive! What a nerve-wracking, edge-of-the-seat thriller at the Narendra Modi Stadium! Kerala defied all expectations, held their composure, and scripted history with a sensational turnaround.
Trailing for most of the game, they snatched the crucial first-innings lead by just 2 runs, ensuring their place in the Ranji Trophy Final for the very first time. Aditya Sarwate picked up the 3 wickets today morning and the entire Kerala camp went berserk as they booked their spot in the Ranji Trophy Final.
The experienced Jalaj Saxena stood tall when it mattered the most! He remained unbeaten on 37, soaking up all the pressure and ensuring there were no hiccups for Kerala. With his calm and composed approach, he guided Kerala to a historic first-ever Ranji Trophy Final as the match ended in a hard-fought draw. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
Time for the Post-Match Presentation!
Chintan Gaja (Gujarat Captain): "Definitely sir, we are all a bit heartbroken. The way we have played in the last few months, we were really hungry and wanted to win the championship. Everyone is heartbroken but we will be fine in a few days. I am proud of the boys. Everyone contributed when it mattered and because of them, we have come this far. We will come back stronger next season.
Well, I would think in a different way. I wish that last shot would have gone in the gap and the story would have been different. I guess this game should have gone in our favor but never mind, we can't help it now.
Definitely sir. If you go back 2-3 years, we were playing good cricket but as a team we were unable to get past the knockouts. Now the team is really good and we were able to this far. I am happy with the performance of my team this season. We will be hopeful to perform better next season.
I want to thank the Association. They put a lot of effort behind us throughout the season. They arrange tours, practice matches for us and they have a massive role to play behind us.
(On the coaching staff) Definitely sir. The entire coaching staff were always behind us. They have constantly backed us and guided us everyday."
Well, I would think in a different way. I wish that last shot would have gone in the gap and the story would have been different. I guess this game should have gone in our favor but never mind, we can't help it now.
Definitely sir. If you go back 2-3 years, we were playing good cricket but as a team we were unable to get past the knockouts. Now the team is really good and we were able to this far. I am happy with the performance of my team this season. We will be hopeful to perform better next season.
I want to thank the Association. They put a lot of effort behind us throughout the season. They arrange tours, practice matches for us and they have a massive role to play behind us.
(On the coaching staff) Definitely sir. The entire coaching staff were always behind us. They have constantly backed us and guided us everyday."
Player of the Match: Mohammed Azharuddeen
Mohammed Azharuddeen (Player of the Match): "It's a very special feeling. First of all, I am dedicating this special award to my parents, who are not with me anymore. Yeah, it's a very special feeling. I am taking this opportunity to thank Kerala cricket. Also, I would like to take a few names, because of injuries they couldn't be part of us - Sanju Bhai, Vishnu Vinod and Aparajith. For Kerala cricket, they are always part of us. We are going to play the Finals for the first time and it's a great feeling for me.
We were playing very good cricket for the first time. I just took the team situation personally. I was avoiding few shots and wanted to bat long.
(Partnership with Salman Nizar) Yeah, it's been more than 10 years, we are playing together. We know each other very well. In terms of running between the wickets, we don't call, we have that understanding of when to run and when not to."
Well we were very desperate to do something today for Kerala cricket. I was very happy to do the stumping and get the first wicket of the day for my team. Very happy."
We were playing very good cricket for the first time. I just took the team situation personally. I was avoiding few shots and wanted to bat long.
(Partnership with Salman Nizar) Yeah, it's been more than 10 years, we are playing together. We know each other very well. In terms of running between the wickets, we don't call, we have that understanding of when to run and when not to."
Well we were very desperate to do something today for Kerala cricket. I was very happy to do the stumping and get the first wicket of the day for my team. Very happy."
Sachin Baby (Kerala Captain): "Feeling very great. It was a dream for me to play a Ranji Final for Kerala. We are very happy as a unit. On behalf of the entire association, the coaching staff and everyone, we are very delighted to play the Finals now.
Um, when we batted first, we thought that the wicket will do a bit. We first thought that it will spin from the third day. We had our magician Jalaj but it was not spinning much. Credit to Gujarat as well for giving us a tough fight. So sorry for that last dismissal with the way it happened but we worked really hard to make it to the Finals.
When I dropped the catch, I thought the match was gone. Jaymeet was playing so well and we desperately needed that wicket. So after dropping the catch, I thought, it was gone but in that same over, we got that stumping. So I think it was planned.
Sarwate was not bowling at the right areas in the first couple of days. We had a chat with him today and he was charged up. I told him that you will get a five-wicket haul. I wanted to show the ball to Vidarbha team. Very happy with his performance.
(On Salman Nizar) Yes, yes. He is fine. He had some problems with his head. It is not the first time that he is getting hit. He is steady now.
(On the Head Coach) Yes, 100%. He has been working really hard behind each and every player. Especially, Rohan (laughs). I am sure after this presentation, he will go to the nets and work with the Coach. The Coach has been a lucky guy for us."
Um, when we batted first, we thought that the wicket will do a bit. We first thought that it will spin from the third day. We had our magician Jalaj but it was not spinning much. Credit to Gujarat as well for giving us a tough fight. So sorry for that last dismissal with the way it happened but we worked really hard to make it to the Finals.
When I dropped the catch, I thought the match was gone. Jaymeet was playing so well and we desperately needed that wicket. So after dropping the catch, I thought, it was gone but in that same over, we got that stumping. So I think it was planned.
Sarwate was not bowling at the right areas in the first couple of days. We had a chat with him today and he was charged up. I told him that you will get a five-wicket haul. I wanted to show the ball to Vidarbha team. Very happy with his performance.
(On Salman Nizar) Yes, yes. He is fine. He had some problems with his head. It is not the first time that he is getting hit. He is steady now.
(On the Head Coach) Yes, 100%. He has been working really hard behind each and every player. Especially, Rohan (laughs). I am sure after this presentation, he will go to the nets and work with the Coach. The Coach has been a lucky guy for us."
That's all we have from this thrilling day of cricket! Both Ranji Trophy Semi-Finals have concluded almost at the same time, delivering edge-of-the-seat drama! KERALA CREATE HISTORY in Ahmedabad, storming into their first-ever Ranji Trophy Final! Meanwhile, over in Nagpur, Vidarbha have secured their spot in the summit clash.
It’s Vidarbha vs Kerala in the Ranji Trophy 2024/25 Final. The battle for glory begins on February 26 in Nagpur! For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off along with scorer/analyst Sahil Khan as we brought all the live updates from the final day's play. You can switch tabs and tune in to the ICC Champions Trophy clash between Afghanistan and South Africa! Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
It’s Vidarbha vs Kerala in the Ranji Trophy 2024/25 Final. The battle for glory begins on February 26 in Nagpur! For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off along with scorer/analyst Sahil Khan as we brought all the live updates from the final day's play. You can switch tabs and tune in to the ICC Champions Trophy clash between Afghanistan and South Africa! Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋