Ranji Trophy 2024/25, VIDAR vs KER Final Match Preview

Kerala’s cricket team is set to make history as they reach their first Ranji Trophy final, generating excitement among fans and celebrities alike. Led by captain Sachin Baby, the team aims to capitalize on their streamlined system and previous experience, having faced heartbreak in the 2018-19 season. They will compete against Vidarbha, a two-time champion with a solid core of emerging talent. Key players include Aditya Sarwate for Kerala and Karun Nair for Vidarbha, both bringing significant experience. The final, to be held in Nagpur, will showcase the contrasting journeys of both teams as they vie for the title.

The Grand Scene: Kerala’s Moment to Shine

It might take a moment to recall if film stars and politicians have shown this level of enthusiasm for the Ranji Trophy. However, Kerala’s appearance in their first final has certainly changed that narrative; their journey to the final has been nothing short of a cinematic triumph.

This is a monumental moment for many players hailing from a state that holds a deep admiration for its icons, especially with few cricketing legends, such as S Sreesanth and the more recent Sanju Samson. Yet, a closer look reveals a host of players with remarkable contributions.

Take KN Ananthapadmanabhan, now a well-known umpire, who guided Kerala to their most significant achievement in the mid-90s, reaching the pre-quarterfinals in 1994-95. Or Feroze Rashid, instrumental in their qualification for the Ranji Super League after securing the South Zone title in 1996-97. Then there’s VA Jagadeesh, a budding bank officer and a classical opener from the early 2000s. Their contributions are numerous, albeit often overlooked.

As the Sachin Baby-led team steps onto the field in Nagpur on Wednesday, they will carry the hopes of 35 million people, a region more recognized for its football prowess, as they bask in the spotlight. Their last attempt at a final in 2018-19 ended in disappointment, but this current lineup includes several players from that encounter who have grown stronger from the experience and are perhaps better prepared, a result of a revamped system.

They’ll be facing Vidarbha, the reigning two-time Ranji champions now firmly establishing dominance in domestic cricket. Once a state not known for producing an abundance of cricket talent for India, it is now a nurturing ground brimming with potential. Players like Jitesh Sharma, who has stepped into the shoes of Umesh Yadav and appeared for India in T20Is, and Harsh Dubey, the season’s top wicket-taker under the mentorship of former India spinner R Ashwin, highlight that transition.

Vidarbha’s commitment to developing age-group cricket has fostered seasoned players like Atharva Taide, Yash Rathod, and Yash Thakur. Their captain, Akshay Wadkar, was a rookie when they secured their first title in 2017-18, and now leads a solid core that includes experienced professionals like Karun Nair and Jalaj Saxena, who have rediscovered their form with this team over recent seasons.

While Vidarbha may be the favorites, Kerala has played with a free spirit, unburdened by expectations, and will persistently compete, as demonstrated throughout the season.

Performance Overview: Vidarbha in High Gear

Vidarbha: WWWWD (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Kerala: DDWDD

Path to the Final: Two Divergent Journeys

In Focus: Aditya Sarwate and Karun Nair

Aditya Sarwate bowled 11 wicketless overs out of the 194.5 that Vidarbha bowled in last year’s Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai due to back problems. Sarwate finished that season with 40 wickets, the highest for a Vidarbha bowler, but faced scrutiny regarding his fitness and work ethic within the team. Now, Sarwate stands as Kerala’s second-best wicket-taker this season, following a standout performance in the semi-final against Gujarat, providing valuable insights about his former team at their home ground.

Karun Nair enjoyed a remarkable start in his first season, scoring three centuries during Karnataka’s stellar Ranji Trophy championship run in 2013-14. The following year, he tallied a triple century in the final as Karnataka secured back-to-back titles. Now, a decade later, Nair is back in the limelight with impressive performances, having notched a record-breaking 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. A big performance in the final could reignite discussions of an India comeback for him ahead of the England Tests.

Team Updates: Thakare and Nizar Cleared

Seamer Aditya Thakare, who took five wickets in the quarter-final against TN, was sidelined during the semi-final due to a minor hamstring issue. He is now fit and available for the final, compressing Vidarbha’s lineup as they must choose between either Darshan Nalkande or Nachiket Bhute.

Vidarbha (likely XI): 1 Atharva Taide, 2 Dhruv Shorey, 3 Danish Malewar, 4 Karun Nair, 5 Yash Rathod, 6 Akshay Wadkar (capt & wk), 7 Harsh Dubey, 8 Parth Rekhade, 9 Nachiket Bhute/Darshan Nalkande, 10 Yash Thakur, 11 Aditya Thakare

Salman Nizar suffered a helmet blow during a key moment for Kerala last week, resulting in a concussion, but he has recovered well and is ready to play. Kerala reports no other injury concerns, and they may reinstate Nedumankuzhy Basil in place of all-rounder Ahammed Imran for improved team balance.

Kerala (likely XI): 1 Akshay Chandran, 2 Rohan Kunnummaal, 3 Varun Nayanar, 4 Sachin Baby (capt), 5 Jalaj Saxena, 6 Salman Nizar, 7 Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), 8 Aditya Sarwate, 9 MD Nidheesh, 10 Basil Thampi, 11 Nedumankuzhy Basil

Pitch and Weather

Nagpur is already experiencing hot and dry conditions, with daytime temperatures reaching the mid-30s Celsius. The fresh pitch designated for the final is expected to initially have considerable grass cover, yet the dryness will likely lead to cracking, allowing spinners to come into play from days three to five.

Statistics and Trivia

Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey is just three wickets shy of the all-time Ranji record for most wickets in a season. Bihar’s Ashutosh Aman currently holds the record with 68 wickets achieved in 2018-19.
Nizar is Kerala’s top run-scorer this season, amassing 607 runs, with nearly 60% of those runs scored in the last three matches.
Vidarbha won the only previous Ranji final held at Jamtha, defeating Saurashtra in the 2018-19 season.
Sarwate, Vidarbha’s top wicket-taker during that victorious campaign (55 wickets at an average of 19.57), is aiming to secure his third Ranji title with Kerala this time.
Yash Rathod is 105 runs away from surpassing Wasim Jaffer’s record for the most runs in a single Ranji season by a Vidarbha player. Jaffer scored 1037 runs during their championship run in 2018-19, including four centuries and two fifties. Rathod has already registered five centuries and three fifties this season.

Quotes

“He’s an exceptional leader – a performer who has shown the resilience to withstand pressure and lead effectively. The entire team has embodied his fighting spirit throughout the season.”
– Vidarbha batter Karun Nair on captain Akshay Wadkar

“In my first meeting with Amay [Khurasiya, head coach] back in August, I emphasized that we needed just two things: discipline and strengthening of our lower-order batting. I believe we’ve made progress in both areas so far. Now, our internal dialogue revolves around the idea that we have not one game left, but two: the final and the Irani Cup [between the Ranji winners and a Rest of India team]. We’re approaching it with that mindset.”
– Kerala captain Sachin Baby

Shashank Kishore is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo