Kerala are on their way into the history books, with one foot in their maiden Ranji Trophy final, thanks to a wafer-thin two-run first innings lead in the semifinal against Gujarat in Ahmedabad. With the Test likely to end in a draw, Kerala, who amassed 457 runs in their first essay, are all set to go through, having bowled out Gujarat for 455 on the last day of the Test.
Kerala had entered the semifinal courtesy a one-run first innings lead in the quarterfinal against Jammu and Kashmir at Pune. J&K scored 280 in their first innings, while Kerala managed 281. Though J&K declared their second innings for 399/9, Kerala managed to hold on for a draw, scoring 295/6. Salman Nizar was the player of the match, with crucial innings of 112* and 44*.
Nizar once again came to Kerala’s rescue in the first innings against Gujarat in the semifinal, scoring an important 52 and putting on 149 runs with centurion Mohammed Azharuddeen (177) for the sixth wicket.
But, with the match hanging by the finest of threads on day 5, it was Nizar’s helmet that proved to be Kerala’s real saviour eventually!
It was the 175th over of the innings, and slow left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate (4/111) was bowling to Arzan Nagwaswalla (10). Gujarat were nine down, with two runs to get to tie scores with Kerala. Nagwaswalla had played 48 balls, and with only last man Priyajitsing Jadeja for company and a decisive first-innings lead within touching distance, decided to go for an aggressive hoick over mid-wicket. He connected, and four was written all over the ball... until Nizar’s helmet came in the way.
The ball struck the helmet of Nizar, who was fielding at short-leg, and ballooned to skipper Sachin Baby in the slip, sparking wild celebrations from the Kerala players, and heartbreak for Nagwaswalla and the Gujarat camp.
Nizar was stretchered off to a waiting ambulance and was taken to the hospital soon after the innings, but reports suggest it was a precautionary measure, and that he is fine.
Priyank Panchal (148) was the top scorer for Gujarat, while Aarya Desai (73) and Jaymeet Patel (79), too, chipped in with key contributions.
Kerala are likely to be up against Vidarbha in the final, who are only two wickets away from a well-deserved win over Mumbai in the other semifinal in Nagpur.
