Vidarbha has made significant strides on the first day of the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala, showcasing their cricketing prowess at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Danish Malewar, at the center of attention with his phenomenal unbeaten score of 138, has ensured his team stands strong at the stumps with 254 runs for four wickets after 86 overs.
The match commenced on February 26, 2025, with Kerala winning the toss and opting to field first, a decision experts and fans alike found surprising, as it meant facing the pressure of Vidarbha’s batters on their home turf. The initial phase of the match saw Vidarbha struggle dramatically, collapsing to 24 for three wickets within the early overs. Early dismissals were marked by perplexing tactics from Kerala, but they managed to strike the first blows effectively, leaving Vidarbha with the immediate challenge of recovering from the setback.
It was at this point, leading onto the fourth wicket, where both Malewar and veteran Karun Nair anchored the innings, displaying resilience and skill. Their exceptional 215-run partnership buried the initial woes, signaling Vidarbha's comeback as they built momentum with intelligent shot selections and solid techniques. Nair, unfortunately, fell short of reaching his own century, getting run out for 86 runs, which dampened the otherwise booming confidence on the batting end. Yet, both players left their mark by steering the team back from the brink and reinforcing the notion of collective effort under pressure.
Malewar's impressive performance not only earned him accolades but also established him as the youngest player to secure a century for Vidarbha in the history of the Ranji Trophy finals. At just 21 years old, he has now landed the highest score by any Vidarbha player during these prestigious finals, overtaking previous records set earlier. His maiden innings showcased his potential to flourish under pressure, illustrating the grit and determination expected from top players competing at such levels.
Following the day's play, Malewar expressed satisfaction about his performance, citing the advantage of being familiar with the home ground. “It’s home ground advantage. We have good knowledge of this pitch. We will attempt to score 450 runs,” he stated during his interview with ETV Bharat. His assertion hinted at ambitions of reaching unprecedented heights by accumulating substantial runs as the match progresses.
Vidarbha's batting lineup appeared solid even if they lost some momentum with Nair's departure, as players like Yash Rathod and Akshay Wadkar are still to come to bat. The next days promise thrilling cricket as Vidarbha looks to solidify their position and assert dominance against Kerala, who are making their maiden appearance at this final. For Kerala, the key will be to sustain pressure and wrap up the Vidarbha innings effectively.
The excitement continues as both teams gear up for Day 2. With Vidarbha having scrambled their way to 254 runs at the end of the first day, their mission now is to build on this platform and achieve the maximum possible score. On the other hand, the Kerala bowlers will be angling for tight lines and exploiting any weaknesses as they seek to break up Vidarbha's batting strength once more.
With higher stakes at hand and cricketing glory on the line, the tension and anticipation are palpable going forward. Fans will be eagerly watching the developments as the final seeps through each day, ready for fierce competition and stellar performances as these two teams vie for the title.