Ahmedabad: As they stepped onto the ground on the fifth day of their semi-final clash against Gujarat on Friday, Kerala pinned their hopes on the spin duo of Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate to gain the decisive first innings lead, which would open a historic chapter in the cricketing history of the state. The odds were in favor of Gujarat when the first session began, as they were expected to cruise to the final on the merit of their first innings lead, with the help of the well-settled batter Jaymeet Patel.

But rewriting Kerala’s cricketing history, captain Sachin Baby and his inspiring group of cricketers prevailed during the final moments of tension and frustration, overcoming disappointed Gujarat by registering a decisive first innings lead of two runs. This ensured Kerala’s first-ever entry into the Ranji Trophy final.

With the old ball in their hands and the fifth-day turning wicket offering immense opportunities, Saxena and Sarwate tightened their grip on the batters, choking them with unexpected turns and bounces. They were well supported by close-in fielders shouting for blood. For Gujarat, they needed only 29 runs with three wickets in hand to secure a first innings lead.

But when Aditya Sarwate got the wicket of Jaymeet Patel, Kerala’s hopes were rekindled. Smelling blood, captain Sachin Baby surrounded the batters with close-in fielders as Sarwate and Saxena continuously flummoxed the batters with turning balls. Each run added to the scoreboard, escalating the tension on the ground. Another wicket fell as Aditya Sarwate dismissed Sidharth Desai, coaxing him out of the crease. Wicketkeeper Mohammed Azharuddeen completed the formalities by flipping the bails off as Desai stood stranded outside the crease. The score read 446 for 9 at that point.

Things became increasingly exciting as Kerala started pressing hard for the last wicket, and Gujarat resisted with all their might, unwilling to bow down to the Kerala spin duo. As the difference between the two sides started narrowing, emotions ran high both in and outside the ground. It looked like a poised battle, with both sides fighting with all their grit and courage to outsmart each other, each eager to gain the decisive first innings lead.

The long-awaited historic moment came when Gujarat reached 455. A shot from Nagwaswalla hit the helmet of Salman Nissar and went up in the air, only to land safely in the hands of captain Sachin Baby. As the disappointed last pair of Gujarat walked back with their heads down towards the pavilion, Kerala players were seen jumping and celebrating their historic feat: their first-ever Ranji Trophy final.

Aditya Sarwate, who took the last three wickets in the first session of the final day, was the best bowler from Kerala. He took four wickets for 111 runs in 45.4 overs. Jalaj Saxena, who had taken four wickets on Thursday to bring Kerala back into the game, finished with figures of four for 149 in 71 overs. MD Nidheesh and N Basil took one wicket each.

Score:

  • Kerala - 457 (Mohammed Azharuddeen 177 not out, Sachin Baby 69, Salman Nizar 52)
  • Gujarat - 455 (P Panchal 148, A Desai 73, JM Patel 79)

Though two more sessions remained to be played on Friday, Kerala has ensured its place in the prestigious Ranji Trophy final by taking the decisive first innings lead of 2 runs.