Ranji Trophy Final: Sarwate leads Kerala’s reply against Vidarbha

Aditya Sarwate’s unbeaten 66 anchored Kerala’s reply as the visitors reached 131/3 at stumps on the second day after restricting hosts Vidarbha to 379 in the first innings of the Ranji Trophy final.

Kerala fought all day long to keep the game interestingly poised after their bowlers did not allow Vidarbha to post a huge total in the first essay. They trailed by another 248 runs, riding on local star Sarwate’s fine knock.

Vidarbha started the day at 254/4, but Kerala fought back incredibly well to keep the hosts under 400. Vidarbha’s innings featured a career-best 153 from Danish Malewar and Karun Nair’s 86.

Kerala remained persistent throughout the first session as their seamers MD Nidheesh (3/61), Eden Apple Tom (3/102) and NM Basil (2/60) produced a unified show.

Basil snuck one through the gap between Malewar’s bat and pads for the first breakthrough, ending the No. 4 batter’s charge at 153 off 285 balls with 15 fours and three sixes. But perhaps the biggest breakthrough of the day came when Eden had Vidarbha’s in-form batter Yash Rathod caught in the slips for a mere three runs.

Vidarbha skipper Akshay Wadkar’s (23) resistance did not last long when he edged Eden’s delivery outside off to wicketkeeper Mohammed Azharuddeen.

To their credit, Vidarbha’s tail comprising Akshay Karnewar (12), Harsh Dubey (12 not out) and Nachiket Bhute (32) did well to drag them as far as 379.

It was imperative for Vidarbha to strike with the new ball and Darshan Nalkande (2/22) provided two early wickets, cleaning up both the Kerala openers Akshay Chandran (14) and Rohan Kunnummal (0) to reduce Kerala to a precarious 14/2.

But Sarwate, who was once a vital cog in Vidarbha’s line-up and was a member of their title winning campaigns in 2017-18 and 2018-19, stood against his former side to lead a strong reply for Kerala.

The 35-year-old, who had to Kerala after the last Ranji Trophy season, battled hard to reach 66 not out from 120 balls with 10 fours. Sarwate put on 93 for the third wicket with Ahammed Imran (37 off 83 balls). Vidarbha broke the partnership when Yash Thakur (1/45) dismissed Imran late in the day.

Brief scores: Vidarbha: 379 in 123.1 overs (Malewar 153, Nair 86; Nidheesh 3/61, Eden 3/101, Basil 2/60); Kerala: 131/3 in 39 overs (Sarwate 66*, Imran 37; Nalkande 2/22).