Kerala edges closer to first Ranji Trophy final ever after taking first-innings lead vs Gujarat

Kerala stands on the cusp of securing its first-ever Ranji Trophy final berth after having secured a tense two-run first-innings lead over Gujarat at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Opting to bat after winning the toss, Kerala posted an imposing 457, led by a magnificent 177 from M Azharuddeen. Gujarat, in response, fought hard, with Priyank Panchal’s superb 148 and crucial 70s from Aarya Desai and Jaymeet Patel bringing it agonisingly close to surpassing Kerala’s total.

But it was Kerala’s spin duo of Aditya Sarwate and Jalaj Saxena who made the difference, sharing eight wickets between them to tilt the game in their team’s favour.

With just two runs needed to equal Kerala’s first-innings score, Arzan Nagwaswalla stepped out and attempted to hit Sarwate towards the leg side, but the ball struck short-leg fielder Salman Nizar’s helmet and ricocheted into the air, allowing Sachin Baby at slip to take a simple catch — delivering a crushing blow to Gujarat’s hopes.

Nizar was later stretchered off and taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. The Kerala camp has assured that there is no major concern, with an ambulance on standby in the compound to transport him.

With this remarkable feat, Kerala now finds itself on the brink of history. Having reached only its second-ever Ranji Trophy semifinal — after edging past Jammu & Kashmir by just one run in the previous round — the team is now just one step away from reaching the title clash, carrying the hopes of an entire State into the final.