Ranji Trophy final: Kerala avoids top order collapse, scoring 131 for 3

Nagpur: Recovering from an early setback, Kerala steadied their innings with a fighting unbeaten 66 by Aditya Sarwate on the second day of the Ranji Trophy final. At stumps on Thursday, the score card reads 131 for the loss of three wickets for Kerala. Sarwate resisted an early collapse with his gallant knock of 66, well supported by Ahammed Imran, who scored 37 before being dismissed just before the close of play. Captain Sachin Baby remained unbeaten on 7 as the day's play ended.

Openers Akshay Chandran scored 14, while Rohan Kunnummal was dismissed for a duck. Sarwate and Imran steadied the innings with some gutsy defense and judicious stroke play, adding a valuable 91 runs for the third wicket.

Earlier, Kerala bowlers staged a strong comeback on the second day of the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha on Thursday, bundling out the last six batters while conceding only 125 more runs. Vidarbha, resuming from a solid 254 for 4, were dismissed for 379 soon after the lunch break.

Pacers MD Nidheesh and Eden Apple Tom claimed three wickets each, while N Basil took two. Veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena picked up one wicket.

On the opening day, Kerala's seamers were on fire in the first session, reducing Vidarbha to 24 for 3 within the first hour. However, experienced batter Karun Nair and young Danish Malewar steadied the innings with a crucial 215-run partnership for the fourth wicket, occupying the crease for four hours. It was Rohan Kunnummal who finally broke the stand.

Eden Apple Tom bowled a delivery outside off-stump, which wicketkeeper Mohammed Azharuddeen failed to collect cleanly. Karun had already stepped out to take a bye, but Malewar at the other end did not respond. Before Karun could return to the crease, Kunnummal, who had retrieved the ball, threw it accurately to complete the run-out.

Score: Vidarbha 379 (Danish Malewar 153, Karun Nair 86).  Kerala : 131 for 3 (Aditya Sarwate 66 not out, Ahammed Imran 37)