Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Jaymeet, Jalaj’s inspirational performances set up tense semifinal showdown

Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Jaymeet, Jalaj’s inspirational performances set up tense semifinal showdown

When Gujarat resumed its first innings on day four of its Ranji Trophy semifinal against Kerala on Wednesday, the side looked primed to chase down the visitor’s score of 457.  

Former skipper Priyank Panchal, who had reached the three-figure mark the previous day, and Manan Hingrajia had already put up a 91-run stand. The pair had rendered Kerala’s famed spin attack of Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate wicketless in their 42 overs together. 

But, with his side under the pump, Saxena brought out all his experience to single-handedly bring the match within his side’s reach. 

The off-spinner bowled 27 consecutive overs from the Pavilion end at the start of day four, picking up four wickets to put his side on the ascendancy. 

“I think we were bowling well yesterday. Credit should be given to Gujarat batters. They played brilliantly and took the game away from us,” the veteran spinner said.

“There was not much change in the plans [going into day four]. We just kept it very simple that we have to bowl on right areas. We did that and the result followed,” he explained.

While Manan Hingrajia’s wicket helped Kerala add a spring to its step, Saxena’s ball to dismiss centurion Panchal was the one that truly got the team elated. The off-spinner tossed up a ball into the rough outside the right-hand batter’s off-stump and got it to spin inward substantially, beating the opener’s attempted drive and disturbing the stumps behind him. 

While the extent of spin was the factor that undid Panchal, it was Saxena’s guile that helped him outwit the dangerous-looking Urvil Patel. The Gujarat wicketkeeper came down the track to a loopy delivery from the 38-year-old, hoping to tonk it over midwicket in trademark fashion. 

But, this time the Kerala spinner got one to go on with the arm, beating the right-hander’s outside edge with Mohammed Azharuddeen completing the formalities behind the stumps. 

Just as Kerala looked to have taken the game by the scruff of the neck, in walked Jaymeet Patel, the young left-hander who was having a blinding debut Ranji campaign. He was in red-hot form, having scored at least a half-century in each of his last four First-Class innings, taking his season tally to an impressive 582 ahead of the current match. 

The 22-year-old scored an invaluable unbeaten hand of 74, forging important partnerships with the lower-middle order. Hemang Patel, the concussion substitute for Ravi Bishnoi, played a crucial role in taking pressure off Jaymeet and the host, looking to go for the big shots to throw the Kerala bowlers off their lengths. The brief counterattack from one end allowed Jaymeet to quietly settle at the other. 

“When I went, the situation was tight. There were a lot of runs [to get]. So, I didn’t think much apart from playing on the merit of the ball, “ the southpaw said. “Inside the dressing room, everyone was positive that we will do it [chase down the total] whatever the situation is.”

There were only two boundaries in Jaymeet’s 161-ball innings, but the batter made sure that the lack of shots did not result in him and his partner being stuck at one end. 

“Generally, people score most of their runs in boundaries. But, we were confident in our approach of taking singles. Jalaj was bowling well and we had to show him respect, but we made sure to put away his loose deliveries too,” Jaymeet said. 

An encounter in a recent GCA district tournament had prepared Jaymeet for what was in store in the pivotal Ranji semifinal. 

“There were 120 runs left and nine wickets had fallen. From there, I managed to chase down the 120 runs and also earn a lead of 50-55 runs. My teammates also said, ‘You’ve done it before, you can do it again’. So, I just backed myself,” the all-rounder said. 

Gujarat might seem to have a slight advantage, needing just 28 runs with three wickets in hand, but the Kerala team are confident of cleaning up the tail.

‘ Oru ball madhi’ (One ball is enough) was the chant from wicketkeeper Azharuddeen to spur his teammates on in the dying moments of play on day four. Saxena too remains confident that his team can pull this off. 

“This has been the story of Kerala’s season. Every match has been played like this. In the last match too, we were 280 for nine and from there we scored 81 runs,” Saxena explained.

“It is a matter of three good balls. We are hopeful,” he added. 

As the city eases into its summery morning on day five of the game tomorrow, the palpable tension surrounding the make-or-break opening half-hour of play will turn the Narendra Modi Stadium into a sweltering cauldron. The team that retains its composure and wades through it will have a Ranji Trophy final waiting on the other side.