Match Report 1st Semi Final of the Ranji Trophy 202425 –

Match Report: 1st Semi-Final of the Ranji Trophy 2024/25 – Gujarat vs Kerala, February 17-21, 2025

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Gujarat scored 222 for 1 against Kerala, who posted 457 in their first innings. Priyank Panchal, 34, showcased his talent with a commanding 117 and surpassed 29 first-class centuries, silencing previous doubts about his performance. Aarya Desai contributed a solid 73, forming a crucial 131-run opening partnership with Panchal. Kerala’s Mohammed Azharuddeen top-scored with 177 but struggled as the lower order faltered, adding only 49 runs for the last three wickets. Gujarat’s aggressive response puts them in a strong position to challenge for a result, as Kerala’s bowling underperformed on a humid day in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat 222 for 1 (Panchal 117*, Desai 73) trails Kerala 457 (Azharuddeen 177*, Baby 69, Nizar 52, Nagwaswalla 3-81, Gaja 2-75) by 235 runs

At 34, Priyank Panchal has moved beyond the periphery of the national team, now being recognized solely as a one-format player for Gujarat. He entered the semi-finals with just one century and a half-century during what had been a lackluster 2024-25 Ranji season. However, the selectors opted against making any changes, showing faith in Panchal for the crucial match.

On Wednesday, Panchal justified that trust by scoring his 29th first-class century, achieved with a six and an emotional roar, orchestrating a solid response from Gujarat against Kerala’s 457 on a hot and humid day in Ahmedabad. At the close of day three, Gujarat stood at 222 for 1, trailing Kerala by 235 runs, with a second-wicket partnership between Panchal and Manan Hingrajia already contributing 91 runs.

By adopting a slow batting approach, Kerala effectively concentrated their strategy, attempting to shape the match into a one-innings affair. However, Gujarat’s robust reply has raised the possibility that Kerala might not have sufficient time to engineer a result if they fall behind.

Kerala’s innings commenced with Mohammed Azharuddeen quickly scoring a single to reach his 150, but a cascade of lower-order wickets compelled him to adopt a more aggressive style. He concluded his innings unbeaten on 177, as Kerala managed to add just 49 runs with their last three wickets. Azharuddeen faced 341 balls, striking 20 fours and a six.

Gujarat started their innings steadily, with runs accumulating at a commendable pace as Panchal and the young Aarya Desai, in only his third season, seized every scoring opportunity. Kerala’s fast bowlers faltered with short deliveries, leading to punishment as Panchal executed some exquisite cuts, while Desai showcased an impressive backfoot punch.

Desai appeared more stylish, while Panchal adopted a more aggressive approach than usual. The opening partnership had built up to 131 before Desai’s expansive drive led to his dismissal, dragging the ball onto the stumps as Nedumankuzhy Basil broke through in the 37th over.

This wicket did little to faze the batters; Panchal reached his century by stepping out to loft left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate over the long-on boundary. Hingrajia, batting at the other end, played a more restrained innings, which was understandable given Panchal’s free-scoring after he surpassed his half-century.

Panchal’s performance against the spin duo of Sarwate and Jalaj Saxena was particularly commendable, as he effectively used his footwork to counter the spin, both when smothering it and while driving with and against the turn. As the day wore on, rough patches began to appear outside off from one end, but they largely managed to navigate this challenge.

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