Logo

Logo

Kerala in Ranji Trophy semi-final for the first time, crush Gujarat in quarters

In 2017-18, Kerala had made their maiden appearance in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Kerala in Ranji Trophy semi-final for the first time, crush Gujarat in quarters

Representational Image (Photo: Getty Images)

The Kerala cricket team has for the first time qualified for the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy — 68 years after they first took part in the competition. The team thrashed Gujarat by 103 runs in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

Kerala won the match on the third day after they folded Gujarat for just 81 runs in their second innings. The match between Kerala and Gujarat was played at the Krishnagiri Stadium in Wayanad, Kerala.

Fast bowler Basil Thampi took a five-wicket haul as Kerala bundled Gujarat batsman in just 31.3 overs. Thampi ended the match with eight wickets for 88 runs (both innings combined).

Advertisement

Star Kerala bowler Sandeep Warrier also finished with eight wickets. He took four wickets in the second innings.

 

Chasing a target of 195 runs, only two Gujarat batsmen — Rahul Shah, Dhruv Raval — were able to score runs in double digits, as the team slid to four-down inside the first half hour. Debutant Rahul Shah, who came to bat at number 3, remained unbeaten on 33. Rahul built a 39-run stand with Dhruv Raval for the fifth wicket. However, Raval’s dismissal for 17 kicked off another collapse, as they lost their last six wickets for 24 runs.

In 2017-18, Kerala had made their maiden appearance in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Brief scores: Kerala 185/9 (Chintan Gaja 4-57) & 171 (Sijomon Joseph 56; Roosh Kalaria 3-36) beat Gujarat 162 (Parthiv Patel 43; Sandeep Warrior 4-42) & 81 (Basil Thampi 5-27) by 113 runs

Advertisement