Kerala Seals Historic Ranji Trophy Semifinal Spot After Thrilling Draw Against Jammu & Kashmir

Pune, February 12 (IANS): Kerala created history on Wednesday by securing a spot in the Ranji Trophy semifinals for only the second time. The achievement came after a tense final day against Jammu & Kashmir, which ended in a draw at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. With a nail-biting finish, Kerala advanced due to their slender one-run lead in the first innings.

A Tough Final Day for Kerala

Starting day five at 100/2, Kerala faced a clear challenge: either chase down 299 runs or bat out the remaining 90 overs to qualify. It was clear that runs were not the priority—surviving the full 90 overs was their path to advancement. Early on, the Kerala batsmen focused on defense, adding just 13 runs in the first 10 overs but managing to preserve their wickets.

Akshay Chandran and Sachin Baby proved resilient, calmly facing J&K’s pacers, Umar Nazir Mir, Yudhvir Singh, and Auqib Nabi, who continually bowled short-pitched deliveries. Despite the pressure, the Kerala duo showed great composure, frustrating the bowlers.

Jammu & Kashmir’s Fightback

After nearly 44 overs of steady resistance, J&K broke the deadlock. Chandran, who had diligently worked his way to 48 off 183 balls, was dismissed at short leg after a successful review. By lunch, Kerala had crawled to 146/3, adding just 46 runs in 31 overs while losing a vital wicket.

Post-lunch, J&K mounted more pressure. Sachin Baby fell for 48 after a rising delivery from Sahil Lotra took his edge to the keeper. In the very next over, Jalaj Saxena was dismissed for a duck, leaving Kerala teetering at 146/5.

Salman Nizar and Mohammed Azharuddeen Save the Day

With their qualification hanging by a thread, Kerala needed someone to step up. Enter Salman Nizar, who had already impressed with a heroic 112 in the first innings. Alongside Mohammed Azharuddeen, Nizar fought hard, with the two taking the game deep.

The seventh-wicket pair batted for over 42.4 overs, adding 70 crucial runs. This partnership drained valuable time from J&K’s bowlers, who were desperate for a breakthrough. Azharuddeen, despite a tough season, proved his mettle, scoring a vital 67 off 118 balls and securing his third fifty of the tournament.

A Historic Finish

With just 30 minutes remaining in the match, Kerala seemed poised for victory. Nizar remained unbeaten on 44 off 162 balls, while Azharuddeen stood firm at 67. Together, they saw off J&K’s final surge, and when the umpires called stumps, Kerala had done the unthinkable. They advanced to the semifinals, leaving J&K heartbroken.

Match Summary:

Jammu & Kashmir: 280 & 399/9 decl
Kerala: 281 & 295/6 in 126 overs (Mohammed Azharuddeen 67 not out, Akshay Chandran 48)
Result: Match drawn, Kerala advanced on first innings lead.

–IANS

hs/bsk/

A Glimpse into the Semifinals

Kerala’s historic qualification marks a new chapter for the team in the Ranji Trophy, and their grit and determination in this nerve-wracking encounter have earned them a place among the elite. As they now prepare for the semifinals, their resilient performance against Jammu & Kashmir will go down as one of the most memorable in recent Ranji history.

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