Ranji Trophy Final: Vidarbha vs Kerala Highlights: Malewar's Ton, Nair's 86 Take Vidarbha's To 254/4
Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final: A horrible mix-up between Karun Nair (86) and Danish Malewar (138 not out) denied the former a deserving century but their much needed resistance took Vidarbha to a formidable 254/4 at stumps.
Kerala vs Vidarbha, Ranji Trophy Final 2024-25 Highlights: A horrible mix-up between Karun Nair (86) and Danish Malewar (138 not out) denied the former a deserving century but their much needed resistance took Vidarbha to a formidable 254/4 at stumps on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala in Nagpur on Wednesday. Nair and Malewar led a strong fightback for the hosts at the VCA Stadium after Kerala seamers struck early thrice to leave Vidarbha struggling at 24 for three. The pair put on a resolute 215-run stand for the fourth wicket consuming as many as 414 deliveries across the three sessions, mixing caution with aggression to give Vidarbha a strong footing. (Scorecard)
Vidarbha Playing XI: Dhruv Shorey, Parth Rekhade, Danish Malewar, Karun Nair, Yash Rathod, Akshay Wadkar(w/c), Akshay Karnewar, Harsh Dubey, Nachiket Bhute, Darshan Nalkande, Yash Thakur
Kerala Playing XI: Akshay Chandran, Rohan Kunnummal, Sachin Baby(c), Jalaj Saxena, Mohammed Azharuddeen(w), Salman Nizar, Ahammed Imran, Eden Apple Tom, Aditya Sarwate, MD Nidheesh, Nedumankuzhy Basil
Vidarbha
Kerala
Kerala vs Vidarbha Ranji Trophy final
...Second Innings...
The duo killed the good start by Kerala who looked in flow before that with the new ball but the partnership helped Vidarbha get in the game and set a good first innings score. Now, the pitch has a lot to offer for the seamers. Vidarbha are in a good mindset and if their pacers get together, with execution could trouble Kerala a lot. A tough day awaits for the Kerala batters who will face a relentless Vidarbha bowlers next. Stay tuned.
So, it just took less than 3 overs for Kerala to get the last wicket. A fine innings though from Bhute as it has helped Vidarbha get over 350. At one stage, 350 looked far away but the tail played well. They added some quality runs to the overall total. However, the man of the moment was Danish Malewar who played a brilliant innings of 153 and the partnership, along with Nair, set the platform.
OUT! GONE! Short in length and around off, Bhute looks to defend it late but gets an outside edge to the keeper. Fine catch. Vidarbha end with 379.
A single to end the over as Bhute plays it to long off.
On middle, this is drilled to long on for a single.
Tossed up on middle, Dubey turns it to mid-wicket.
Full and on off, this is driven to long off for a single.
Flat and comes with the arm on middle, Bhute solidly blocks it out.
Too full and on off, Bhute leans and blocks it out.
Angling on middle, Bhute nudges it to mid-wicket for one.
On a length and on middle, Bhute blocks.
Full and on off, Dubey tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.
Slants a length ball on off. Dubey blocks it out.
Full and on off, Bhute punches it to covers for a single.
Length ball on off, Bhute defends on the off side.
Back with action. MD Nidheesh to bowl after the break.
...Day 2, Session 2...
The final stand by Vidarbha have overdone the Kerala bowlers' good work throughout the session. Excellent stuff from Dubey and Bhute. The latter in particular, has played a fine innings to take Vidarbha over 370 and could potentially take close to 400. Kerala will be gutted. They started so well. They were right on the money as they took the wicket of Danish Malewar after his wonderful innings and of Yash Thakur. It looked like it would be an easy follow up after that, but the Kerala tail wags a bit and has done an outstanding job to extend the first innings lead. Kerala will be disappointed but will hope they take the last wicket quickly in the next session. Stay tuned.
Full and on off, Dubey punches it right back to the bowler. That will be LUNCH!