Synopsis
Kerala's senior cricket team is on the brink of history, poised to secure their first-ever Ranji Trophy final appearance after a thrilling semifinal match against Gujarat. With crucial contributions from players like Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate, Kerala's remarkable journey has captured the attention of cricket enthusiasts.Key Takeaways
- Kerala is on the verge of its first Ranji Trophy final.
- Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate were key players in the semifinal.
- Kerala's team is notable for not including national star Sanju Samson.
- BCCI's funding has significantly improved cricket in Kerala.
- Historical context of Kerala cricketers in Test cricket.
Ahmedabad, Feb 21 (NationPress) In an extraordinary development, Kerala's senior cricket team, lacking prominent players, held Gujarat to just two runs less than their own first-innings score of 457, positioning them on the verge of achieving their inaugural Ranji Trophy final qualification.
This milestone was accomplished shortly after they managed a thrilling one-run lead in the first innings against Jammu and Kashmir during the quarterfinals in Pune earlier this month.
As the semifinal match reached its climax on Friday, both Kerala and Gujarat found themselves in a nail-biting situation. Gujarat required 28 runs with only three wickets in hand to progress to the final based on the first-innings score. Yet, Kerala triumphed by claiming the 10th wicket of Gujarat, who fell just two runs short of Kerala's first innings total.
It is worth noting that Kerala's current lineup does not include the well-known national player Sanju Samson, but they have benefited from the inclusion of two players from outside the state, as permitted by the current regulations.
The team includes Jalaj Saxena from Madhya Pradesh, a veteran player whose all-round performance has been pivotal. Saxena scored 67 in the quarterfinal's first innings and took four crucial wickets during the semifinal, bowling an impressive 71 overs out of Gujarat’s total of 174.4 overs.
The other significant contributor, Aditya Sarwate from Nagpur, bowls slow left-arm and claimed four wickets in 45 overs, securing the last wicket of Arzan Nagwaswalla, which confirmed Kerala's spot in the final.
Historically, only three players from Kerala have represented India in Test cricket: Tinu Yohanan, S Sreesanth, and Abey Kuruvilla. However, since Kuruvilla played for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, this achievement by Kerala’s team becomes even more remarkable.
Former Kerala Ranji captain and South Zone player in the Duleep and Deodhar Trophy (1982-83), Ranjit Thomas, expressed great pride and credited this success to the players' immense effort, dedication, and the support from the BCCI and the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA).
“I extend my gratitude to the BCCI for allocating essential funds among member states, which has sparked a 'cricket revolution'. Players have benefitted from state-of-the-art facilities developed by the KCA, enabling them to perform at their best and secure good employment. The introduction of various formats of cricket has also given players significant exposure. I now hope Kerala will take home the Ranji Trophy,” said Thomas, a retired banker who remains actively involved in cricket.
