Kerala's cricket team has made history by qualifying for its first-ever Ranji Trophy final, thanks to a dramatic win over Gujarat at the Narendra Modi Stadium on February 21, 2025. After securing a nerve-wracking two-run lead at the end of the first innings, Kerala fans erupted with joy as their team prepared to embrace this monumental milestone.
The semi-final saw Kerala, captained by Sachin Baby, tackling Gujarat head-on after winning the toss and opting to bat. They posted 457 runs on the board, largely due to Mohammed Azharuddeen's stunning performance. His remarkable innings of 177 not out was the cornerstone of Kerala's batting lineup, supported by Captain Baby's 69 and Salman Nizar's 52 runs.
Gujarat began their reply with determined intent. They fought valiantly, primarily through Priyank Panchal's impressive 148, along with solid contributions from Aarya Desai and Jaymeet Patel, who scored 73 and 79 runs respectively. On the final day, with Gujarat needing just 28 runs for the lead and three wickets remaining, the game remained on edge, with Kerala's bowlers needing to step up.
It was on this final day when Aditya Sarwate and Jalaj Saxena, both key bowlers for Kerala, showed their mettle. The pair delivered spectacular performances, sharing eight wickets between them to turn the tide of the match. Sarwate, who took four wickets for 111 runs, was instrumental, particularly as the tension escalated with each run scored by Gujarat.
During the nail-biting conclusion, Gujarat’s batsman Arzan Nagwaswalla attempted to flick Sarwate’s delivery. The ball hit short-leg fielder Salman Nizar's helmet and rose high, directly landing in the hands of Captain Sachin Baby at slip. This remarkable dismissal cut down Gujarat’s hope of surpassing Kerala’s innings total, handing Kerala a historic first-innings lead.
After the match concluded, Kerala's players celebrated jubilantly, with the achievement representing more than just victory; it marked the culmination of years of hard work and belief within the team. Captain Sachin Baby expressed his pride, saying, "Kerala has always been doing really well in all three formats. Everyone had the belief we could also do really well in red-ball. And this belief is doing well over the last two years." His sentiments were echoed across the cricketing community as fans reflected on how far Kerala cricket has come.
The team had previously reached only its second Ranji Trophy semi-final, edging past Jammu & Kashmir by just one run, making this victory even more significant. Now, they poised to play against Vidarbha who is also on the cusp of securing their place in the final.
The Kerala players look to the future with optimism as they prepare to vie for the Ranji Trophy title, carrying the dreams of their supporters as they step onto what will be their ultimate stage for cricketing glory. This win against Gujarat has not only etched their name in the annals of cricket but also showcased the resilience and spirit of Kerala's cricketing squad. It's a story of underdogs rising to claim their rightful place among India's best cricketing teams.
With one foot firmly planted in the final, Kerala is ready to take on the challenges of the championship, excited about not just participating, but potentially claiming the esteemed Ranji Trophy.