Vidarbha is well on its way to secure its third Ranji Trophy title after demonstrating remarkable control against Kerala during the final match held at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur. Entering Day 4, Vidarbha found itself leading by 37 runs, but with the deteriorated pitch posing threats, the match remained highly competitive.
After bowling Kerala out for 342 on Day 3, Vidarbha's bowlers showcased their prowess, led by Harsh Dubey, who not only captured three wickets but also cemented his status as the highest wicket-taker of the season with 69 wickets. "We definitely have a massive advantage, but Kerala has fought back in many matches this year. Anything can happen in cricket," remarked Dubey, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Kerala's innings came to a startling end due to the loss of key wickets, particularly captain Sachin Baby, who scored 98 and was unfortunately dismissed attempting to increase the pressure on Vidarbha. His decision to play aggressively, which ended up costing him his wicket, might haunt him: “I was attempting to play my natural game, but it’s hard to justify the mistake. I should have taken my time,” Baby noted post-match.
Vidarbha's response with the bat on Day 4 began shakily when they lost both openers within the first few overs, quickly reaching 14/2, leaving fans anxious. Fortunately, centurion from the first innings, Danish Malewar, was able to survive and remain at the crease. He along with skipper Karun Nair began rebuilding the innings, forming partnerships to extend their lead.
With spin bowlers operating under increasingly helpful conditions due to the pitch's wear, Vidarbha's batting unit needed to assert themselves. Harsh Dubey commented on the impending challenges: "The surface will still allow batting, but turn and bounce will increase. If someone bats well, they can score, but make no mistake—this pitch will turn," he warned.
Both Dhruv Shorey and Parth Rekhade were dismissed early, highlighting Kerala's resurgence and intent to tip the scales back. Bowler M D Nidheesh and off-spinner Jalaj Saxena capitalized on early movement, dismissing the Vidarbha openers to shift momentum back, demonstrating outstanding bowling capacity within the first few overs of play.
Despite pressure mounting, Malewar and Nair’s resolve became evident as they executed cautious yet authoritative strokes, gradually raising the scoreboard. Their significant fifty-run partnership became the backbone of Vidarbha's second innings as they aimed for stability. "It's important to focus and stay patient to steer through these difficult conditions,”Nair remarked as his composure became key.
On the other side, Kerala's strategy relies heavily on their spinners, particularly Jalaj Saxena, who successfully claimed wickets early on, setting the tone for the day. The match’s early momentum swings reveal how pivotal performance will be for Kerala as they attempt to rebound and secure their first-ever Ranji Trophy title.
History lays heavy on Kerala, often remembering matches where tactical blunders and missed opportunities have cost them dearly. To restructure their strategy after the first innings' struggle, they now need to focus on capitalizing from the start of Vidarbha's second innings, possibly triggering weakness within the batting lineup early on.
With the conditions favoring bowlers and both teams requiring strategic plays, the conclusion of this riveting match remains uncertain. Vidarbha holds the advantage, yet the spirited gameplay of Kerala might just spring them back to life at any moment within the exciting framework of this final day.