VID vs KER, Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Final: Centurion Malewar hits Kerala, helps Vidarbha recover from shaky start on Day 1

VID vs KER, Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Final: Centurion Malewar hits Kerala, helps Vidarbha recover from shaky start on Day 1

Danish Malewar put on Wednesday a display worthy of the grandest of stages in domestic cricket. With his unbeaten 138 (259b, 356min, 14×4 2×6), he frustrated Kerala on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy final.

The 21-year-old’s superbly constructed innings not merely helped Vidarbha tide over a bumpy start, but take the day’s honours. The host, asked to bat by the first-time finalist, finished at 254 for four at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday.

This is the second hundred for Malewar in his maiden season; and he has also hit five fifties. It was his fourth-wicket partnership of 215 with Karun Nair (86, 188b, 308min, 8×4, 1×6) that erased the smile off Kerala’s face. Sachin Baby’s men, however, must be relieved that the Test triple-centurion was run out shortly before close. Nair did complete 8,000 runs in First-Class cricket.

A fine opening spell by M.D. Nidheesh had suggested Kerala’s gamble to bowl first might perhaps work: Vidarbha was reduced to 24 for three. But, only one of those wickets belonged to a frontline batter.

Possibly to counter the favourable conditions for bowling in the first session, Vidarbha promoted two men up the order. Neither lasted long.

Parth Rekhade was found to be lbw on review: the ball from Nidheesh had shaped in enough.

The tall seamer struck again in his fourth over. Darshan Nalkande’s half-hearted attempt to pull found the fielder at square-leg. Nidheesh’s first spell read 6-4-5-2.

Eden Apple Tom, playing his first Ranji match after the 2021-22 season during which he became the first bowler from Kerala to take a wicket with his first ball in First-Class cricket, accounted for Dhruv Shorey. The opener chose to play a ball that moved slightly away, and was caught behind well by Mohammed Azharuddeen.

Not for the first time, Malewar and Karun built a big partnership, choosing only the right balls to punish. The younger man got to 99 with a six, stepping out against Aditya Sarwate.

Earlier, two fours off the back foot through the leg-side off an Eden over showed how good he could be. Worryingly for Kerala, more batters in form are still to come – including Yash Rathod, the man who has made 933 runs so far this season.

Published on Feb 26, 2025