Thirty young players from Kerala’s under-14 and under-16 teams visited Nagpur to support Sachin Baby’s Kerala team in their pursuit of a maiden Ranji Trophy title, but the team ultimately fell short. Despite the disappointment, the youngsters captured moments with a replica trophy, dreaming of future success. Baby, reflecting on the loss, lamented a critical oversight in his 100th first-class game when he was dismissed for 98, impacting the team’s momentum. Acknowledging his role in the defeat, he emphasized the need for improvement and drew inspiration from Vidarbha’s comeback after last year’s final loss. At 36, he remains committed to the team.
Many Kerala team members, devastated and at a loss for words, acknowledged the presence of the young kids in the crowd, taking pictures as Baby lightened the mood at the presentation with some humor. “You guys have beaten us in all three knockout stages. Next time, we’ll take the win. We’ll make it tougher for you,” Baby jokingly told the Vidarbha team.
“Brain fade,” he described during the post-match press conference, recalling the slog he hit straight to Karun Nair at deep midwicket while on 98. The stakes couldn’t have been higher; a century in his 100th first-class match could have altered the game’s outcome. However, it was not meant to be, as if they had run out of luck in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals, narrowly advancing through with leads of just one and two runs.
“As the leader, I’ll accept the blame,” he stated. “My shot shifted the momentum of the match. I wanted to support the team, especially being six wickets down. I aimed to remain until the end to secure a lead. I desired a lead of over 100 if we managed to obtain one. That could have changed everything.”
Baby struggled to articulate why he played the slog—it was more instinct than a calculated decision, a moment he might replay in his mind countless times. “I was batting along the ground until that moment, but then I have no idea what happened or why I played that shot. But that, along with the dropped catch of Karun [Nair], were pivotal moments in the match.”
He continued, “If I take credit for our victories, I must also accept the blame for our defeats. No one intends to play a shot that leads to getting out. That shot wasn’t in my plan, to be honest. Perhaps it was a brain fade. Still, given the pitch, one had to take some risks. If I had played too defensively, it would have created pressure on both the team and myself.”
At 36, Baby stands as the oldest member of the team. He dislikes being labeled a ‘veteran’ in reference to seasoned players. He insists he has never felt fitter—all indicative of his desire to continue. Yet, without making it all about him, he added: “We still have room for improvement. I was reminding the team how Vidarbha rebounded from their defeat in last year’s final to win the trophy this year.”