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Ranji Trophy Semi-Finals Day 1 Round-Up: Kerala, Vidarbha Stand Strong Against Gujarat And Mumbai

Jatin

Ranji Trophy Semi-Finals Day 1 Round-Up [Source: @RoRaiyash, @CricketFeedIN/x.com]Ranji Trophy Semi-Finals Day 1 Round-Up [Source: @RoRaiyash, @CricketFeedIN/x.com]

The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 semi-finals kicked off with four teams battling it out for a spot in the final and Day 1 was laden with some amazing cricketing action. While Kerala and Gujarat locked horns in Ahmedabad, Mumbai faced a tough challenge against Vidarbha in Nagpur.

The batters had to work hard, the bowlers had to be patient and the contest is well and truly on. Two names stood out on the opening day: Sachin Baby and Karun Nair, both playing the waiting game and anchoring their respective teams.

Here's a complete round-up of Day 1 of Ranji Trophy semis:

Sachin Baby Stands Tall as Kerala Fight for Runs Against Gujarat

It was hard work for Kerala in Ahmedabad as they opted to bat first against Gujarat’s disciplined bowling attack. With the pitch not offering much bounce, stroke-making was always going to be tricky.

Kerala had to grind, and that’s exactly what they did. Sachin Baby led the charge with an unbeaten 69 off 193 balls, showing exactly why experience matters in knockout matches. He stitched together vital partnerships, ensuring Kerala didn’t collapse under pressure.

Jalaj Saxena (30 off 83) and Mohammed Azharuddeen (30 off 66) provided much-needed support but it was all about Baby’s patience.

Gujarat’s bowlers kept things tight, with Ravi Bishnoi, Priyajitsing Jadeja, and Arzan Nagwaswalla all getting a wicket each.

Chintan Gaja and Siddharth Desai bowled with accuracy and kept the run rate in check. At Stumps on Day 1, Kerala are 206/4 in 89 overs, moving at a slow but steady rate. With skipper Sachin Baby still at the crease, Kerala will look to push past 300 and give their bowlers something to work with.

Karun Nair, Dhruv Shirey and Danish Malewar Lead Vidarbha’s Charge Against Mumbai

Over in Nagpur, Vidarbha went in with an aggressive mindset and their batters responded with a solid display against a strong Mumbai attack. Choosing to bat first, they put 308/5 on the board in 88 overs, making full use of a good batting surface.

Karun Nair rolled back the years with a classy 45 off 70, anchoring the innings when the team needed stability before being dismissed by Shivam Dube. Dhruv Shorey (74 off 109) and Danish Malewar (79 off 157) played crucial knocks, ensuring Vidarbha stayed ahead in the contest.

Yash Rathod’s unbeaten 47 added more depth to the innings, and with Akshay Wadkar still at the crease, Vidarbha will be eyeing a big first-innings total.

Mumbai’s bowlers had a tough day at the office, with Shardul Thakur and Mohit Avasthi struggling for breakthroughs. The spin duo of Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani toiled hard but Vidarbha’s batters handled them well.

With Day 2 promising another exciting day, Mumbai will need quick wickets to ensure the game doesn’t slip away. If Vidarbha pushes past 400, it could be a long road ahead for the defending champions.