Kerala reach maiden Ranji Trophy final

Kerala reached their first Ranji Trophy final in dramatic fashion, and by the barest of margins, against Gujarat in Ahmedabad. With three runs required for the hosts to achieve a first innings lead on the final day, No.11 batter Arzan Nagwaswalla went for a lofted drive through the mid-wicket region but the ball cannoned off Salman Nizar's head – high into the air – before it was taken by Sachin Baby at first slip.

The wicket was enough to grant Kerala the minutest of first innings leads by two runs, taking them to the final.

With only 28 runs to defend and three wickets to pick up at the start of day's play, the well-set Jaymeet Patel (79) was the first to go. Left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate picked up his second wicket of the contest, dragging the batter out of his crease before Mohammed Azharuddeen did the rest. The wicket also brought an end to the 79-run partnership between Jaymeet and Siddarth Desai, with Gujarat leaving the door slightly ajar for Kerala.

Kerala brought the door down with the wicket of Desai who fell five overs later, once again to Sarwate, as he was trapped LBW. Gujarat required 12 runs more when the ninth wicket fell, as Nagwaswalla and Priyajitsing Jadeja went through the task of picking up the singles and twos through their slight window of opportunity. But in the 175th over, Kerala picked up the final wicket to secure their first innings lead.

Kerala then had to bat out 46 overs, which they did successfully. Jalaj Saxena (37*) and Rohan Kunnummal (32) got Kerala out of a slight blip when they were reduced to 31 for 2 to take them into their maiden Ranji Trophy final after securing a draw.

Brief Scores:
Kerala 457 & 114/4 (Jalaj Saxena 37*, Rohan Kunnummal 32; Manan Hingrajia 2-22, Siddarth Desai 2-45) drew with Gujarat 455 (Priyank Panchal 148, Jaymeet Patel 79; Aditya Sarwate 4-111, Jalaj Saxena 4-149). Kerala qualify to the final on the basis of first innings lead.