In the Ranji Trophy final, Vidarbha gained a significant advantage by establishing a 37-run lead in the first innings. Kerala was dismissed for 342 on the third day of the match. Kerala captain Sachin Baby was the top scorer for his team with 98 runs, but his dismissal proved to be a turning point in the day’s play.
Kerala’s innings faltered as they lost their last four wickets, including Baby’s, for just 18 runs. This collapse handed Vidarbha a potentially match-winning lead in the Ranji Trophy final.
The collapse was initiated by Parth Rekhade, who claimed three of the final four wickets. Baby, who was just two runs short of a century, attempted a slog-sweep but was caught at deep mid-wicket, triggering the slide. Rekhade further dented Kerala’s hopes by bowling out the experienced Jalaj Saxena as he tried a paddle sweep. Kerala’s tail order offered little resistance, bringing a disappointing end to what had otherwise been a promising day for them.
Earlier in the day, despite losing overnight batsman Aditya Sarwate for 79, Kerala’s innings was anchored by a determined innings from Sachin Baby. Baby began the day positively with a boundary off the first ball. Harsh Dubey, who later broke the record for most wickets in a Ranji season (69), made the first breakthrough of the day by dismissing Sarwate caught at silly mid-off.
Baby then formed crucial partnerships, first adding 49 runs with Salman Nizar before Nizar was dismissed LBW to Dubey just before lunch. Later, Mohammad Azharuddeen provided valuable support to his captain with a patient 34, contributing to a 59-run stand. This partnership was broken when Darshan Nalkande bowled Azharuddeen plumb in front. Baby and Saxena then added 46 runs together before Baby’s crucial wicket shifted the momentum of the game.
Match Score Summary: Kerala 342 all out (Sachin Baby 98, Aditya Sarwate 79; Darshan Nalkande 3-52) trail Vidarbha 379 (Danish Malewar 154, Karun Nair 86; MD Nidheesh 3/61) by 37 runs.
