Ranji Trophy Final : In a nail biting finish, Kerala etched its name in Ranji Trophy history, securing a place in the final for the first time in 74 years by the barest of margins—just a two-run lead against Gujarat. The intense semifinal at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, was filled with drama, nerves, and an unforgettable last-wicket twist.
Ranji Trophy Final : Kerala Scripts History! Reaches Maiden Ranji Trophy Final by Just 2 Runs
A Finish for the Ages: Helmet Deflection Seals Kerala’s Fate
In the dying moments of Gujarat’s first innings, the equation was simple:
🔹 Kerala needed one wicket
🔹 Gujarat needed just two runs
With Arzan Nagwaswalla at the crease, tension soared. Off Aditya Sarwate’s delivery, Nagwaswalla attempted a slog-sweep, only for the ball to ricochet off Salman Nizar’s helmet at silly point, landing perfectly into the hands of skipper Sachin Baby at first slip. Game over! Kerala had won the battle by just 2 runs, securing their maiden Ranji Trophy final appearance since their debut in 1951-52.
Kerala’s Road to the Final: Thriving on Slim Margins
Kerala has had a season filled with razor-thin victories. In their quarterfinal against Jammu & Kashmir, they advanced by just one run in the first innings. This time, they pushed the limits further, overcoming Gujarat with an even tighter two-run lead.
Their first-innings total of 457 proved just enough, as Gujarat fell heartbreakingly short, managing 455 all out. Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate’s disciplined bowling attack ensured Kerala’s place in history.
A Look at the Key Moments
🔥 Siddharth Desai’s Controversial Dismissal – Gujarat needed just 11 runs when Desai was given out LBW, despite initially surviving a caught decision. The review revealed the ball would have hit the stumps, sending him back in dramatic fashion.
🔥 Jaymeet Patel’s Costly Rush of Blood – After a composed stay at the crease, Patel played a rash shot, gifting a simple catch to cover.
🔥 Nagwaswalla’s Freak Dismissal – In what will go down as one of the most bizarre Ranji Trophy dismissals, his shot off Nizar’s helmet became the defining moment of Kerala’s history-making campaign.
What’s Next? Kerala Awaits the Final Battle
With this thrilling win, Kerala will now face either Mumbai or Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy final. Mumbai, the most successful team in the tournament’s history, will pose a major challenge if they progress.
