Vidarbha vs Kerala Live Updates, Ranji Trophy Final: Vidarbha extended their lead to 127 runs as they reached 90 for 2 in their second innings at lunch on day four against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy final on Saturday. Beginning their second essay, Vidarbha, who had taken a crucial 37-run first-innings lead, lost both their openers in the first half-an-hour of the day before Danish Malewar (38 batting) and in-form Karun Nair (42 batting) steadied the ship with an 83-run unbeaten partnership. Veteran spinner Jalaj Saxena (1/36) struck off his very first ball of the day to remove Parth Rekhade (1), providing the first breakthrough to Kerala. Medium pacer MD Nidheesh (1/17), who has been Kerala's leading bowler this season, then removed Dhruv Shorey (5) in the next over. First-time finalists Kerala, who conceded a first-innings lead, desperately need wickets to have a shot at winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title. (Live Scorecard)
Vidarbha vs Kerala Day 4 Live, Ranji Final
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Kerala looked tired once there was nothing on offer from the pitch. The seamers failed to make any impact and Sachin Baby had to turn to his spinners for some reward. They had to grind hard a lot but got the big wicket of Danish Malewar at the stroke of Tea. Kerala still have plenty of work to do. Most importantly, they have to earn the prize wicket of Nair but it feels like Kerala will stick to spinners as they are extracting a bit of turn. Stay tuned for the final session as it begins at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT).
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TEA! A big sigh of relief for Kerala as they finally have something to cheer at the end of this session. The wicket of Danish Malewar have given them a glimmer of hope that they can get the better of this Vidarbha team however, it was the batting team through and through before that. The duo, Danish Malewar and Karun Nair, who have been so good throughout this tournament, once again stepped up on the biggest occasion. A 182-run stand in the second innings in the final has put Vidarbha in the driving seat with the lead reading 226 runs now.
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60.60Jalaj Saxena to Karun Nair
A maiden and that will be TEA ON DAY 4! Tossed up around middle, Karun Nair leans right on and solidly blocks it off.
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60.50Jalaj Saxena to Karun Nair
Just holds this one back a touch and drifts it onto middle. Nair leans on to block but does so off the sticker of the bat and the ball just lobs up ever so slightly.
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60.40Jalaj Saxena to Karun Nair
Back to over the wickt now, bowls it fairly full and around off, Nair tentatively nudges it off the outside edge and wide of the keeper.
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60.30Jalaj Saxena to Karun Nair
Keeps it full and slides it across off, Nair just eases it away to covers.
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60.20Jalaj Saxena to Karun Nair
Around the wicket now, bowled full and on middle and leg, Nair defends it off.
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60.10Jalaj Saxena to Karun Nair
A stifled appeal for a catch but that clearly misses the bat. Quick and full on leg, turning in sharply, Nair misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads wide of leg slip where Sachin Baby pouches it.
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59.60Akshay Chandran to
Floated up around leg, Rathod uses his feet now and pushes it a bit uppishly to short mid-wicket. A wicket-maiden then for Akshay Chandran.
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59.50Akshay Chandran to
Lobbed up around leg stump, Yash Rathod backs away and jams it down towards short mid-wicket.
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Yash Rathod is the new man in.
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59.4WAkshay Chandran to
OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Finally, some respite for Kerala and it is Akshay Chandran who gets the breakthrough. Lovely bit of flight on this one, drifted in from around off and draws Danish Malewar forward. Malewar looks to block down the line but the ball turns away with some extra bounce and takes the outside edge. The ball then clips the pads as well and lobs straight to Sachin Baby at the first slip and he makes no error. End of another fine knock by Malewar on 73 and the 182-run stand is now broken.
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59.30Akshay Chandran to
A half-hearted appeal for caught behind but not given! This is nicely bowled by Chandran, slow and full on off, gets it to grip a bit as well. Malewar leans on to block but the ball just goes past the outside edge.
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59.20Akshay Chandran to
On a length and around off, sliding on, Malewar leans halfway and just punches it away towards point.
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59.10Akshay Chandran to
Nagging length, in and around off, Malewar leans across and blocks it off with soft hands.
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58.60Jalaj Saxena to Karun Nair
Tossed up on the stumps, Nair leans on and clips it away just to the leg side.
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58.50Jalaj Saxena to Karun Nair
Lovely delivery! Flights it up, bowls it on a nagging length and gets it to dip around off, Karun Nair lunges to defend but this one goes on with the arm and beats the outside edge.
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58.40Jalaj Saxena to Karun Nair
Flighted up around off, watchfully blocked off.
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58.31Jalaj Saxena to
Tossed up outside off, Malewar fetches the ball and sweeps it away just behind square leg for a single.
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58.20Jalaj Saxena to
Held back a touch and floated up outside off, Malewar leans on and tentatively blocks it off.