Ranji Trophy semifinal: Kerala need three more wickets to enter final, Gujarat is just 29 runs away from securing lead

AHMEDABAD: The Ranji Trophy semifinal match between Kerala and Gujarat is heading towards a thrilling finish. Gujarat is battling for the lead against Kerala. Since the possibility of a result on the final day of the match is slim, the first-innings lead will likely decide the outcome. At the end of the fourth day, Gujarat, continuing their first innings, is at 429 for 7. They need just 29 more runs to get past Kerala’s first-innings score and take the lead.

Starting the fourth day at 221 for 1, Gujarat lost their first wicket of the day when Manan Hingrajia, who scored 33, fell to Jalaj Saxena. Before lunch, Gujarat lost three more wickets, raising Kerala’s hopes. Jalaj Saxena dismissed both centurion Priyank Panchal and Urvil Patel. Panchal scored 148 runs, while Urvil Patel made 25. Soon after taking the new ball, Hemang Patel was also sent back, caught by Shaun Roger off Nidheesh’s delivery after scoring 27 runs.

After lunch, Kerala tightened their grip with two quick wickets, but a crucial partnership steadied Gujarat. Jalaj Saxena dismissed Chintan Gaja, while Aditya Sarwate took the wicket of Vishal Jaiswal. However, an unbeaten eighth-wicket stand between Jaymeet Patel and Siddharth Desai, worth 72 runs, has kept Gujarat in the game. A dropped catch of Siddharth proved costly for Kerala. Jaymeet is batting on 74, and Siddharth on 24. For Kerala, Jalaj Saxena took four wickets, while Nidheesh, Basil, and Aditya Sarwate claimed one wicket each.