Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 21: Kerala scripted history on Friday by reaching their first-ever Ranji Trophy final, edging past Gujarat in a nail-biting semifinal clash. They secured victory on the basis of a dramatic two-run first-innings lead at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Batting first, Kerala put up an impressive 457, powered by a stellar 177 from M Azharuddeen. Gujarat responded fiercely, with Priyank Panchal smashing 148, while Aarya Desai and Jaymeet Patel added crucial half-centuries. However, Kerala’s spin duo—Aditya Sarwate and Jalaj Saxena—turned the game around, sharing eight wickets to restrict Gujarat to 455, falling agonizingly short by just two runs.

The defining moment came when Gujarat needed two more runs to level scores. Arzan Nagwaswalla’s shot off Sarwate deflected off short-leg fielder Salman Nizar’s helmet into Sachin Baby’s hands at slip, sealing Kerala’s spot in the final. Nizar, who was stretchered off as a precaution, was later declared stable.

With Kerala at 114/4 in their second innings, both teams agreed to a draw, confirming Kerala’s historic final berth. They will now face Vidarbha, who stunned Mumbai in the other semifinal.

This marks a milestone moment for Kerala, who had only reached the semifinals once before. After edging past Jammu & Kashmir by just one run in the quarterfinals, they now stand on the brink of their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph, carrying the hopes of an entire state.