Aditya Sarwate is on a mission to rebuild Kerala, in pursuit of the state's maiden Ranji Trophy title, after pacers stunned Vidarbha on Thursday, day two of the final in Nagpur.

Kerala were 131/3 from 39 overs at stumps, with Nagpur-born Sarwate unbeaten on 66 and captain Sachin Baby batting on 7. Kerala trail by 248 runs and will hope to bat through day three to secure a lead.

sarwate-shot
Kerala's Aditya Sarwate bats on day two of the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha in Nagpur. Photo: KCA

Before Sarwate began his rescue mission on 14/2, the day's action had belonged to Kerala bowlers. Fiery teenager Eden Apple Tom and fellow pacers stunned the two-time winners in the opening two sessions. Vidarbha had resumed at a comfortable overnight score of 254/4 in 86 overs but were bowled out for 379 in 123.1 overs shortly after lunch.

Eden (3/102) and N P Basil (2/60) bagged four of the remaining six wickets, while fellow pacer M D Nidheesh ended Vidarbha's last line of resistance to finish on 3/61. Spinner Jalaj Saxena claimed one, as Kerala made the most of the conditions.

Overnight centurion Danish Malewar (153), the in-form Yash Rathod (3) and nightwatchman Yash Thakur were back in the dressing room with just seven runs added in between the fall of their wickets. Captain Akshay Wadkar and Akshay Karnewar added 36 for the eighth wicket before Rohan S Kunnummal produced a spectacular catch at cover to remove the latter off off-spinner Saxena's bowling.

Wadkar was sent back by 19-year-old Eden, who got the Vidarbha skipper to play and nick behind. Eden, playing his first Ranji match of the season, has clearly overcome his day-one blues. The youngster is making a comeback from a career-threatening back injury after debuting in the Ranji at just 16.

Sachin was spot-on with his bowling changes, and field placements. With his pacers hitting the deck hard and, more importantly, bowling the right line, he held back the slow bowlers.

malewar-basil-wicket
N P Basil (right) celebrates the wicket of Vidarbha's Danish Malewar with his teammates on day two of the Ranji Trophy final in Nagpur on February 27, 2025. Photo: KCA

Spin was introduced only in the 109th over, after 22 productive ones on the day from the pacers. And it turned out to be a masterstroke as Saxena delivered in just his second over on the day, but credit to Kunnummal's acrobatic effort.

Kunnummal, who had broken a brilliant 215-run fourth wicket partnership between Malewar and Karun Nair on day one with a direct hit to remove the latter, also took a smart catch at second slip earlier today to get rid of dangerman Yash Rathod (3). Eden was asked to go around the stumps to Vidarbha's leading run-getter, and the youngster produced a beauty that pitched up and straightened, taking a nip to Kerala's reliable slip fielder.

Eden and fellow pacer Basil showed great aggression on the day, using everything in their repertoire, including bouncers, to put the Vidarbha batters on the backfoot. Basil, who is used to playing the supporting role to fellow pacer M D Nidheesh, was the main character early on.

After removing Malewar, castled to an inswinger, shortly after the star batter reached the milestone of 150, Basil trapped leg-before Thakur, who was promoted to see through day one and managed to add 25 runs. Wadkar tried to walk down the track to upset the bowler's rhythm, but with one perfect bouncer, Basil forced the Vidarbha skipper to stay in his crease. It was Eden who reaped the reward by getting Wadkar caught behind. Harsh Dubey (12) and Nachiket Bhute (32 off 38) batted freely, adding 44 for the last wicket.

Kerala looked aggressive in response but were undone by the pace of Darshan Nalkande who removed openers Kunnummal (0) and Akshay Chandran (14 off 11) in successive overs. Coach Amay Khurasiya promoted Sarwate, who was let go by Vidarbha after last season's Ranji final defeat to Mumbai. He forged a 93-run partnership with U-19 captain Imran.

Kerala are playing their maiden Ranji Trophy final, while Vidarbha are aiming a third title.  

Brief scores: Vidarbha 379 in 123.1 overs (Danish Malewar 153, Karun Nair 86, Nachiket Bhute 32, Eden Apple Tom 3/102, MD Nidheesh 3/61, NP Basil 2/60) vs Kerala 131/3 in 39 overs (Aditya Sarwate 66 not out, Ahammed Imran 37, Darshan Nalkande 2/22). Stumps on Day 2

TAGS

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.