Krishnagiri (Wayanad): Pacers Basil Thampi and Sandeep Warrier combined to put Kerala in the Ranji Trophy semifinals for the first time with a thumping 113-run win over Gujarat here on Thursday. Basil scalped 5/27 while Warrier returned figures of 4/30 as former champions Gujarat, chasing a victory target of 195, were bowled out for 81 in the first session of day three.
Basil removed openers Kathan Patel (5) and Priyank Kirit Panchal (3) in the same over to reduce the visitors to 10/2.
Soon Kerala captain Sachin Baby sent back his counterpart Parthiv Patel (0) with a direct hit.
Warrier too got into the thick of things as he dismissed Rujul Bhatt for a duck to leave Gujarat struggling at 18/4.
Though Rahul Shah (33 not out) and Dhruv Raval (17) put on 39 for the fifth wicket before Basil accounted for the latter. Roosh Kalaria was trapped in front of the wicket by Basil as Gujarat slumped to 59/6.
Warrier removed Axar Patel for two as Kerala took another step towards the win.
Shah waged a lone battle, but there was no denying Kerala on the day.
Basil was adjudged man of the match for his match figures of 8/88 and a fine 37 in the first innings.
Kerala will take on defending champions Vidarbha or Uttarakhand in the semifinals from January 24.
Brief scores: Kerala 185/9 and 171 bt Gujarat 162 and 81 in 31.3 overs (Basil Thampi 5/27, Sandeep Warrier 4/30).
