Vidarbha faced off against Kerala in the highly anticipated Ranji Trophy final 2024 held at Nagpur, showcasing both teams' commitment to claiming the prestigious title. Having built reputations as formidable competitors within the domestic circuit, Vidarbha sought to cement their legacy following their previous championship win in the 2017-18 season.
The match began with Vidarbha's captain Akshay Wadkar winning the toss and opting to bat first. The decision, initially fraught with tension, proved to be instrumental as early on, Vidarbha lost their opener Parth Rekhade without scoring, followed quickly by Darshan Nalkande, who managed just one run. The situation turned dire when Dhruv Shorey was dismissed after contributing only 16 runs. With the scoreboard reading 11 for 2, the pressure on Vidarbha was palpable.
Stepping up to the challenge, Danish Malewar and Karun Nair stabilized the innings, with Malewar showcasing remarkable skill under pressure. His elegant innings featured 11 fours and a six as he moved to 87 not out. Nair supported him well, remaining steady at the other end, as the duo forged a partnership aimed at recovering Vidarbha's innings. By the end of the first day, Vidarbha managed to reach 145 for 3 at the 50-over mark, easing some of the initial jitters.
The following morning saw Malewar continue his brilliant form. Resuming the play with determination, he adopted a patient approach to wear down the fast bowlers of Kerala who were eager to restrict the scoring. Malewar reached his century, making 153 runs off 285 balls and executing strategic strokes including wristy shots and powerful drives before being dismissed by Nedumankuzhy Basil. His dismissal triggered what can only be described as a mini-collapse of the Vidarbha innings.
From 254 for 4, Vidarbha plummeted to 297 for 7 as the Kerala bowlers seized the momentum. Eden Apple Tom proved to be the standout bowler for Kerala with his remarkable delivery action, securing three wickets during the session, which was punctuated by two more quick dismissals for Vidarbha. Despite the falter, the lower order batsmen, including Yash Thakur and captain Wadkar, aimed to inject some stability back to the innings.
By lunch on Day 2, Vidarbha's score settled at 373 for 9. Nachiket Bhute and Harsh Dubey had salvaged the innings somewhat, but Vidarbha’s early slip put them on the back foot. The match dynamics had shifted drastically, and it was yet to be seen how simply maintaining their lead from the first innings would lend direction.
While Vidarbha's top-order batsmen grappled with pressure, the infusion of energy from the young Malewar came not just as relief but as indication of the team’s reliance on its rising stars. Having already scored pivotal runs throughout the tournament, including key partnerships, Malewar's coming out party this season suggested he was not just another participant but was poised to lead Vidarbha's charge to the title.
Kerala, on the other hand, had to navigate the absence of their star player, Sanju Samson, who was sidelined following finger surgery. This absence raised earlier concerns about how well they could execute their game plan, especially against formidable batsmen like Malewar and Nair.
The level of competition presented by both teams raised the stakes significantly with each ball bowled and each run scored pushing the narrative of perseverance and ambition. With Kerala battling to keep Vidarbha's scoring at bay, and Vidarbha responding to every challenge presented, the dynamic of the match was undeniably compelling.
Kerala's strategy had to focus on creating pressure and converting every wicket opportunity, and one might argue they executed their plan with precision, requiring Vidarbha to dig deep and summon the cricketing intuition they had shown all season long.
The stakes were high as both teams aimed for victory, and as the Ranji Trophy final drew closer to its conclusion, fans from both sides were riveted, anticipating the outcome of this gripping encounter. Vidarbha, having shown resilience through the years, and Kerala, with their spirited effort to make their mark, provided cricket fans with the caliber of competition they expect from the game's most prestigious domestic tournament.