Hosts Gujarat are unlikely to digress from their tried and examined template of out-batting oppositions with dogged first innings shows as they tackle a gutsy Kerala of their Ranji Trophy semi-final starting in Ahmedabad on Monday (February 17, 2025).
Gujarat, the champions of the 2016-17 version, superior to the semifinals for the primary time for the reason that 2019-20 season after thrashing Saurashtra by an innings and 98 runs within the quarterfinals in Rajkot.
The victory was constructed on a formidable center order efficiency that includes Manan Hingrajia, Jaymeet Patel, and keeper Urvil Patel, who type the core of their batting unit this season.
Recent from his maiden first-class hundred with 140 runs, Urvil led Gujarat’s cost in an imposing first innings complete of 511, whereas Jaymeet contributed an important century.
Jaymeet has been their high run-getter this season with 582 runs at a median of 48.50 — together with two centuries and 4 fifties.
Shut on his heels with 570 runs, Hingrajia has additionally been in line with two tons as he additionally contributed to their batting dominance in opposition to their state-rivals.
However, it has been an emotional journey for the Sachin Child’s Kerala, who secured their second semifinal berth (since 2018-19) after a hard-fought quarterfinal in opposition to Jammu & Kashmir that got here by way of a slender one-run first innings lead.
Set a difficult goal of 399, Kerala confirmed outstanding persistence on the ultimate day to bat out and power a draw and outcome on their first innings lead.
A vital seventh-wicket partnership of 115 runs between Salman Nizar (unbeaten on 44 off 162 balls) and Mohammed Azharuddeen (67 not out off 118 balls), proved decisive in grinding down the opposition’s assault.
Thalassery’s Nizar has been the person in type for Kerala this season. He struck a primary inning century, an unbeaten 112, as his type could be essential as Kerala would look to proceed their dream run.
MD Nidheesh has been the spearhead of Kerala’s bowling assault.
It was he who led the demolition of Jammu and Kashmir, claiming a powerful 10 wickets within the quarter-final match.
Now, he would look to work his magic as soon as once more, aiming to outfox the Gujarat batters together with his pinpoint line and size, various variations, and deadly outswingers.
He has already picked up 22 wickets this season.
Home stalwart Jalaj Saxena, who has greater than 6900 runs and 470 wickets in first-class cricket, may also look to make an announcement for Kerala.
The 38-year-old has emerged as their main wicket-taker with 34 scalps at an attention grabbing common of 16.84 together with his spin bowling.
Moreover, the Madhya Pradesh veteran has contributed invaluable runs with the bat, notching up two fifties to carry his season tally to 271 runs at a median of 30.11.
A real utility participant for Kerala, Saxena has constantly delivered essential performances together with his match-winning haul of 10 wickets — 5 in every innings — in opposition to Bihar paved the way in which for an innings and 169-run victory, sealing their berth within the quarter-finals.
Groups (from)
Gujarat: Priyank Panchan, Aarya Desai, Siddhartha Desai, Manan Hingraji, Jaymeet Patel, Urvil Patel (WK), Chintan Gaja (C), Vishal Jayswal, Ravi Bishni, Arzan Nagwaswalla, Priyajitsing Jadeja, Rishi Patel Ditya Udayakumar Patel, Rinksh Vaghela, Umang Kumar, Tejas Patel, Hemang Patel, Heet Patel, Kshitij Patel.
Kerala: Akshay Chandran, Rohan Kunnummal, Shorn Roer, Sachin Child (C), Jalaj Saxena, Salman Nizar, Mohammed Azharuddeen (), Aditya Sarawate, MD Nidheesh, Nedumankuzhy Basil, Basil, Basil, Basil Baba Aparajith, Vishnu Vinod, KM Asif , Fazil Fanoos, Vathasal Govind, Krishna Prasad and Anand Krishnan.
Printed – February 16, 2025 02:36 pm IST
