Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Semifinals 1 & 2, Day 1 Review

Gujarat vs Kerala, Semi-final 1, Ahmedabad

Opting to bat first in the first semi-final of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, Kerala got to 206/4 in 89 overs on the opening day at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After putting on 60 for the first wicket, both of the tourists' openers were dismissed on 30. 

While Akshay Chandran was run-out, Rohan Kunnummal was beaten on the inside-half of the bat to get trapped right in front off a Ravi Bishnoi delivery. Varun Nayanar, who was replacing Shoun Roger at No.3, was dismissed caught-behind off a delivery by Priyajitsing Jadeja for 10. Gujarat had toiled hard to get stuck into Kerala. 

Kerala skipper, Sachin Baby, was slow but steady in his partnership with Jalaj Saxena. Arzan Nagwaswalla sneaked through Saxena's defence. Along with Mohammed Azharuddeen, Baby negotiated the last hour and a bit without further damage to the scoreboard.

Kerala: 206 for 4 (Baby 69*, Saxena 30, Bishnoi 1-33, Jadeja 1-33) vs Gujarat 

Vidarbha vs Mumbai, Semi-final 2, Nagpur

Speaking of the second semi-final of India's premier domestic red-ball competition, Vidarbha ended up with 308 for the loss of five wickets against Mumbai at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.    

A couple of 70s from Dhruv Shorey and Danish Malewar were the chief contributors to Vidarbha's total. Both of them were dismissed by Shams Mulani, who ended up with a couple of wickets to his name. Shivam Dube ended up with a two-fer as well. 

Vidarbha's highest run-scorer this season, Yash Rathod, remained unbeaten on 47 with skipper, Akshay Wadkar, giving him company at the other end at Stumps. Shardul Thakur and Mohit Avasthi were a tad bit too expensive for their liking, conceding 57 and 61 runs, respectively at more than four runs per over. The primary objective for Mumbai would be to restrict Vidarbha to as low a first innings total come the second day. 

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Vidarbha: 308 for 5 (Malewar 79, Shorey 74, Rathod 47*, Dube 2-35, Mulani 2-44) vs Mumbai