Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final: Centurion Malewar content to get fruits of preparations on challenging pitch

Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final: Centurion Malewar content to get fruits of preparations on challenging pitch

Making fifties is fine. Making hundreds is just finer. Vidarbha’s Danish Malewar is finding all that out in his first season in First Class cricket.

He came out to bat in the Ranji Trophy final after scoring five fifties, but only one hundred. Now he has two.

And he timed that hundred perfectly. When he reached the middle, Vidarbha was in a spot of bother, at 11 for two.

Batting wasn’t easy at the time, on a fresh wicket, with M.D. Nidheesh giving nothing away. The former champion lost one more wicket soon.

But, Malewar was joined by Karun Nair and the duo, as they have done on many occasions before, they complemented each other.

“We try to make it simple, not playing too many shots, but to play with the patience of the bowlers,” he said after returning to the dressing room with an unbeaten 138. “He gives me tips while batting and makes me concentrate if I am not.”

He was determined to convert this innings into a big one. “This is a big game and I had prepared myself,” he said. “Batting wasn’t easy early on as the ball was seaming around, and there was moisture on the wicket.”

He, however, showed talent and temperament. He had time to play his shots, some of which he unleashed during innings with panache, especially on the leg side.

Malewar said the team wasn’t expecting Kerala to bowl first after winning the toss.

“We wanted to bat first if we had won the toss,” he said. “It would have been better if we hadn’t lost the wicket – especially that of a set batter – but we are still in a good position.”