Kerala ended the day at 206 for 4 against Gujarat in Ahmedabad, thanks to captain Sachin Baby’s unbeaten 69. The team adopted a cautious approach, likely influenced by their recent batting collapses, including the quarter-final against Jammu & Kashmir where they stumbled to 200 for 9 before a last-wicket stand secured a crucial first-innings lead.
Openers Akshay Chandran and Rohan Kunnummal provided a steady start, adding 60 runs in 20.4 overs. However, Kerala soon lost three wickets for just 26 runs within 45 minutes. Chandran fell for 30 after a run-out, while Kunnummal, also on 30, missed an inside edge and was trapped lbw by Ravi Bishnoi. Varun Nayanar, who replaced Shoun Roger at No. 3, battled for an hour to score 10 before edging behind off Priyajitsing Jadeja, who had dismantled Saurashtra in the quarter-final.
The post-lunch session saw Kerala focus more on survival than scoring. Jalaj Saxena and Baby stitched together a 71-run stand over 27.5 overs. Saxena, known for his resilience, ground his way to 30 before Arzan Nagwaswalla breached his defense. Baby, having reached his first half-century of the tournament’s second leg, continued to anchor the innings alongside Mohammed Azharuddeen, ensuring no further damage in the final hour.
Gujarat’s bowlers, despite limited assistance from the pitch, put up a disciplined performance. Bishnoi stood out with figures of 1 for 33 in 15 overs, troubling the batters with his pace through the air and sharp turn. The fast bowlers maintained accuracy but lacked the pace to unsettle Kerala’s batters, setting up an intriguing contest for the days ahead.
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