Kerala showcased resilience on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy final, scoring 131 runs for 3 wickets at stumps, trailing Vidarbha's total of 379 by 248 runs. The day's play was marked by the standout performance of Aditya Sarwate, who ended the day unbeaten on 66 runs from 120 balls, helping stabilize the innings after Kerala faced initial setbacks.
Vidarbha, who began the day at 254 for 4, had hoped to post around 450 runs after achieving solid momentum the previous day. Their innings was anchored by Danish Malewar, who scored 153 runs, along with Karun Nair's 86 runs. Kerala's bowlers, led by MD Nidheesh's 3 for 61 and Eden Apple Tom's 3 for 102, managed to restrict the hosts effectively, ensuring they fell short of the anticipated total.
The breakthrough for Kerala came early when NM Basil dismissed Malewar, sneaking the ball through his bat and pad, marking the start of Vidarbha's collapse. Following Malewar's dismissal, the run rate slowed significantly for Vidarbha. Nidheesh and Apple Tom kept the pressure on Vidarbha's lower order, allowing only light resistance as the tail-end of the batting lineup managed to add 47 runs before being bowled out.
Kerala's response, though shaky at first, was marked by the partnership between Sarwate and Ahammed Imran, who added 93 runs for the third wicket. After Darshan Nalkande struck early, cleaning up openers Akshay Chandran and Rohan Kunnummal, Kerala found themselves reeling at 14 for 2. Yet, Sarwate's experience shone through as he not only weathered the storm but also played with remarkable control against his former team, demonstrating resilience and skill.
Reflecting on his performance, Sarwate said, "I had to battle through some tough spells," indicating the challenges he faced against Vidarbha's aggressive bowling. His knack for staying calm under pressure was evident as he struck 10 fours, maneuvering the field with precision.
Despite the stiff challenge, Vidarbha did not capitalize fully on early opportunities; the decision not to appeal for what seemed like a clear catch behind off Sarwate was one of several mistakes on their part. Imran also had his share of fortune when Nalande's delivery angled away, resulting in what could have been another early dismissal.
Although Vidarbha tried to break the partnership late on Day 2, Yash Thakur managed to remove Imran, who attempted to pull but mis-hit the ball to midwicket, bringing the wicket tally to three for Vidarbha. Sarwate, who was previously instrumental for Vidarbha with two Ranji victories, now led his new team Kerala with determination.
At stumps, Sarwate stood firm as the anchor for Kerala, and with Sachin Baby supporting him at the crease, they will look to build on their performance on Day 3. Both Nidheesh and Apple Tom will need to capitalize on their earlier efforts to keep Vidarbha's tail quiet and avoid letting them extend their lead.
The anticipation for the next day's play is palpable, as Kerala, with Sarwate at the helm, tries to mount their comeback and chase down the deficit against Vidarbha.