History in the making? Azharuddeen's historic ton powers Kerala towards Ranji final berth

Ahmedabad: Kerala is in a commanding position in their Ranji Trophy semi-final against Gujarat, having accumulated 418 runs for the loss of seven wickets by the end of the second day’s play.

The highlight of Kerala’s innings was a stellar century by Mohammed Azharuddeen, along with vital half-centuries from captain Sachin Baby and Salman Nizar, which propelled Kerala past the 400-run mark. Azharuddeen, unbeaten on 149, remained at the crease with Aditya Sarwate (10*).

Azharuddeen and Nizar put on a crucial 149-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Nizar was dismissed for 52 runs by Vishal B. Jaiswal. Shortly after, Ahamed Imran was dismissed for 24 runs.

Kerala, hoping to gain a first-innings lead, lost three wickets during the third session of the second day’s play.

On the second day itself, Sachin Baby departed early, caught by Aarya Desai off Arzan Nagwaswalla’s delivery in the first over. Baby had made 69 runs from 195 balls, including eight boundaries. No further runs were added to the earlier score.

Azharuddeen (149 not out) and Nizar (52) then stabilised the innings. Azharuddeen became the first Kerala player to score a century in a Ranji semi-final. This century marks Azharuddeen as Kerala’s first batter to score a century in a Ranji semi-final.

Nagwaswalla has taken two wickets for Gujarat, while Ravi Bishnoi and Priyajeet Jadeja have one each. Kerala’s opening batter, Akshay Chandran, was dismissed run out.

On the first day, Kerala had finished with four wickets down for 206 runs. Openers Akshay Chandran (30 off 71 balls) and Rohan Kunnumal (30 off 68 balls), along with debutant Varun Nayanar (10 off 55 balls) and Jalaj Saxena (30), were all dismissed earlier in the innings. Kerala made a cautious start, with the openers ensuring a solid foundation by accumulating 60 runs from the first 20 overs.

The semi-final match is taking place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This is Kerala's second Ranji semi-final appearance, having lost to Vidarbha in the 2018-19 season. Gujarat, the 2016-17 champions, reached the semi-finals in the 2019-20 season.

Under the guidance of their new coach, Amey Khurasia, and supported by a well-balanced squad, Kerala has shown tremendous progress. In the other semi-final, Vidarbha is in a strong position against Mumbai.