On February 26, 2025, Danish Malewar captured the spotlight during the opening day of the Ranji Trophy final, showcasing his talent and resilience as he helped guide Vidarbha to a respectable score against Kerala at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The young 21-year-old cricketer scored an impressive unbeaten 138 runs off 259 balls, allowing Vidarbha to recover from a challenging start to finish the day at 254 for four.
Malewar's innings consisted of 14 fours and 2 sixes, and it highlighted his poise and temperament on one of domestic cricket's grandest stages. His performance was not just about individual brilliance; it was complemented significantly by his partnership with Karun Nair. The two stitched together a formidable fourth-wicket partnership of 215 runs, which was pivotal for Vidarbha, especially after they found themselves reeling at 24 for three early on.
Initially, Kerala's decision to bowl first seemed promising. M.D. Nidheesh shone brightly with the ball, taking two early wickets and putting the Vidarbha batting line-up under pressure. His opening spell featured impressive figures of 6-4-5-2. He first claimed the wicket of Parth Rekhade, who fell leg-before wicket to Nidheesh's shaping delivery. Nidheesh continued to apply pressure, removing Darshan Nalkande with another brilliant delivery, which forced the batsman to pull straight to the fielder at deep mid-wicket.
Though Vidarbha struggled at the outset, it was Malewar's ability to anchor the innings and build partnerships with lower-order batsmen like Nair, who contributed 86 runs from 188 balls and crossed the 8,000-run milestone in First-Class cricket, which began to turn the game around. The pair's discipline and tactical approach allowed them to weather the storm and score runs at the right moments, frustrating Kerala’s bowlers.
Kerala, still adjusting to the match's tempo, saw Eden Apple Tom, playing his first Ranji match since the 2021-22 season, also contribute to the bowling attack. He took the wicket of Dhruv Shorey, who perished after scoring 16 runs. Shorey played at one too many deliveries, resulting in his dismissal caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammed Azharuddeen.
Despite the setbacks, the focus returned to Malewar as he approached his century with aggressive intent. After managing to hit sixes and well-placed boundaries, he reached the three-figure mark, displaying both skill and confidence. This was Malewar’s second century of the season, adding to the five fifties he had achieved previously, making him one of the standout players of the tournament.
Heading toward the later stages of the match, Vidarbha’s batting lineup still boasted of formidable players, including Yash Rathod, who has accumulated 933 runs this season alone. This continued presence of strong batting is, no doubt, a source of concern for the Kerala bowling attack.
Worryingly for Kerala, they conceded 254 runs on the first day after their excellent start, leaving them to ponder how they can capitalize on their early success. The innings' fall of wickets illustrated the immediate challenges they face: Vidarbha walking back to the pavilion at 0, 11, and 24, showing their vulnerability against Kerala’s opening attack.
Even though they had initially held the upper hand, Kerala's bowlers will need to regroup as they face the challenge of containing Vidarbha and maintaining their focus on the upcoming days of the final.
With the first day winding down and Vidarbha asserting control, both teams will look toward day two with anticipation. Each point accrued through runs and wickets will be precious as they vie for the coveted Ranji Trophy title. The stage is set for what promises to be thrilling cricket as players from both sides look to make their mark.