[WATCH] Bizarre Dismissal During Ranji Trophy Semi-Final Steals The Show

A dramatic and highly unusual dismissal became the center of attention during the Ranji Trophy semi-final clash between Kerala and Gujarat on Friday. The moment occurred at a critical juncture in the game, making it even more significant. Kerala’s left-arm spinner, Aditya Sarwate, delivered a well-flighted delivery, which Gujarat’s Arzan Nagwaswalla attempted to smash.

The ball ricocheted off Salman Nizar’s helmet at short leg and looped into the hands of Sachin Baby at slip. This unexpected turn of events led to Gujarat being dismissed just two runs short of Kerala’s total, ultimately granting Kerala the all-important first-innings lead. This narrow margin proved decisive in propelling Kerala to their maiden Ranji Trophy final.

Kerala’s Gritty Performance Secures Historic Qualification

On the final day, Kerala, needing just 29 runs to take a crucial first-innings lead, managed to achieve the target amid intense pressure. Left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate played a vital role in wrapping up Gujarat’s innings, picking up the final three wickets and restricting them to 455 in 174.4 overs. Gujarat had entered the day at 429/7, with Jaymeet Patel and Siddharth Desai forging a determined eighth-wicket stand of 72 runs. However, their resistance was eventually broken, with Patel being stumped on 79 after a tight DRS review and Desai falling for 30 after a controversial LBW decision.

1⃣ wicket in hand
2⃣ runs to equal scores
3⃣ runs to secure a crucial First-Innings Lead

Joy. Despair. Emotions. Absolute Drama! 😮

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/kisimA9o9w#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #GUJvKER | #SF1 pic.twitter.com/LgTkVfRH7q

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 21, 2025

Kerala’s historic qualification for the final comes 68 years after their debut in India’s premier domestic tournament. They last reached the semi-finals in the 2018-19 season but had never progressed further. They will now face Vidarbha, who overcame Mumbai by 80 runs in the other semi-final.

A Match Filled with Tension and Twists

The semi-final witnessed multiple nail-biting moments, including a dropped catch, a missed stumping opportunity, and a dramatic DRS review. Kerala skipper Sachin Baby dropped a crucial catch when Gujarat was just 23 runs away from taking the lead, but the reprieve was short-lived as Patel fell soon after. Nagwaswalla, batting at No. 10, put up a fight, smashing a boundary and reducing the deficit to 14 runs.

However, Sarwate broke Gujarat’s resistance by dismissing Desai at a crucial moment. A final twist saw Jalaj Saxena nearly taking his fifth wicket as Nagwaswalla’s inside edge brushed past the leg stump, leaving Gujarat agonizingly short of the target.

With their place in the final secured, Kerala batted steadily in their second innings, posting 114/4 in 46 overs before the match ended in a draw. Jalaj Saxena remained unbeaten on 37, while Rohan Kunnummal contributed 32. On Gujarat’s side, Desai and Manan Hingrajia picked up two wickets each, but their efforts were in vain as Kerala celebrated a historic victory.

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