Kerala team and Sanju Samson [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @BCCI/x]
The Kerala cricket team has virtually won its Ranji Trophy semifinal match against Gujarat to qualify for the title clash. The match, currently into its fifth day, witnessed Kerala securing a two-run lead at the end of the first innings after Gujarat’s number 10 Arzan Nagwaswalla was dismissed in a bizarre manner.
Kerala veteran Sanju Samson, who played the initial games of the ongoing 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, congratulated the team for advancing into the finals and signified the occasion through a heartwarming social media post.
Sanju Samson shares a message for Kerala
Indian cricketer Sanju Samson has congratulated the Kerala cricket team for qualifying for the finals of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. Taking to his Instagram account, he wrote:
“Absolutely thrilled to see this happening…A dream we all believed together 10 years ago is just 1 step away boys!!”
What happened in Kerala vs Gujarat match?
As it happened, the Kerala team batted first and stockpiled 457 runs in the first innings of the match at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Mohammed Azharuddeen top-scored with an unbeaten 177 from 341 balls, while captain Sachin Baby and Salman Nizar frustrated the opponents with cautious half-centuries.
In response, Gujarat opener Priyank Panchal belted 148 from 237 balls and Jaymeet Patel made 79 in the middle order. At the brink of going past Kerala’s 457-run total, Gujarat folded up for just 455 to concede a minute two-run lead after number 10 batter Arzan Nagwaswalla was dismissed in a bizarre manner.
It is worth noting that the Kerala cricket team is yet to win a single Ranji Trophy title. Pretty much winning the semifinals on the basis of first innings lead, they have qualified for its first-ever final.