Hey there, cricket fans! Imagine this: It’s a crisp February morning in Ahmedabad, the air buzzing with anticipation. The Narendra Modi Stadium A Ground is alive with the scent of fresh grass and the echoes of enthusiastic crowds. On one side, the Kerala Cricket Team vs Gujarat Cricket Team Match Scorecard – those resilient warriors from God’s Own Country, known for their never-say-die spirit on the domestic circuit. On the other, Gujarat, the defending champions with a batting lineup that can turn any pitch into a run-fest. This wasn’t just any match; it was the first semi-final of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, a clash that promised drama, skill, and maybe a bit of heartbreak. As someone who’s followed cricket since the days of Kapil Dev’s magic, I can tell you – this game had it all.
If you’re new to cricket or just tuning in after a long day, don’t worry. I’ll break it down simply, like chatting over a cup of chai. We’ll dive into the buildup, the nail-biting action day by day, the heroes who shone, and of course, a crystal-clear scorecard in a table that’s easy on the eyes. By the end, you’ll feel like you were right there in the stands. And hey, if you’re an SEO-savvy reader searching for “Kerala Cricket Team vs Gujarat Cricket Team Match Scorecard,” you’ve hit the jackpot – we’ve got the full details, stats, and analysis to keep you hooked.
The Road to the Semi-Final: How Kerala Cricket Team vs Gujarat Cricket Team Match Scorecard Got Here
Let’s rewind a bit. The Ranji Trophy is India’s premier domestic first-class tournament, where state pride meets raw talent. It’s been around since 1934, nurturing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli before they went big. The 2024-25 edition kicked off in October, and both teams had gritty campaigns to reach this stage.
Kerala, led by the cool-headed Sachin Baby, entered the knockouts after topping their group. They played eight league matches, winning four and drawing three, amassing 32 points. Their strength? A balanced side with fiery pacers and gritty batsmen who thrive on turning tables. Remember their thriller against Mumbai earlier? Kerala chased down 450 on the final day – pure heart.
Gujarat, under the steady hand of captain Chirag Pathak (though Parthiv Patel’s influence loomed large as coach), were the defending champs from 2021-22. They finished second in their group with 28 points, thanks to explosive batting from the likes of Priyank Panchal and Urvil Patel. But knocks like their win over Baroda showed depth in bowling too, with spinners like Siddharth Desai weaving magic.
The semi-final was set for February 17-21, 2025. Kerala won the toss and batted first on a batsman-friendly pitch. Little did they know, this five-day saga would end in a hard-fought draw, with Kerala edging through on first-innings lead. But oh, the stories along the way!
Day 1: Kerala’s Solid Start Amid Cautious Strokes
The first day set the tone – slow and steady, like a good Kerala curry simmering on the stove. Under clear skies, openers Rohan Kunnummal and Akshay Chandran walked out to the middle. Gujarat’s new-ball attack, led by Arzan Nagwaswalla and Darshan Nalkande, probed early. But Kerala meant business.
By lunch, they were 50 for no loss after 25 overs. Kunnummal looked compact, nudging singles and punishing the odd loose ball. Chandran, the young gun, played second fiddle but grew in confidence. Enter Mohammed Azharuddeen after tea – oh boy, what a cameo this man would brew into a masterpiece.
At stumps, Kerala closed on 150 for 2 in 63.6 overs. Salman Nizar fell cheaply, but Azharuddeen (25*) and Sachin Baby (40*) steadied the ship. Gujarat’s bowlers toiled without much reward, with Nagwaswalla picking up 1 for 30. The run rate? A sedate 2.2 – classic Test cricket patience.
For the uninitiated, first-class matches like this are marathons, not sprints. Batsmen build innings like architects, bowlers chip away like sculptors. This day was all about endurance, and Kerala nailed it.
Day 2: Azharuddeen’s Masterclass Lights Up Ahmedabad
If Day 1 was the appetizer, Day 2 was the main course – spicy and satisfying. Resuming at 150/2, Kerala lost a couple of quick wickets. Baby departed for 45, caught behind off Nalkande, and Varun Nayanar edged one to slip for 12. At 200/4, things looked wobbly.
But then, Azharuddeen flipped the script. The wicketkeeper-batsman, with his elegant drives and fearless pulls, turned aggressor. He raced to his century by lunch, smashing boundaries off Desai’s spin. Partnered with all-rounder Jalaj Saxena, they added 100 for the fifth wicket. Saxena, the veteran from Madhya Pradesh now starring for Kerala, played the perfect foil – watchful yet watchful.
By tea, Kerala were 300/5. The highlight? Azharuddeen’s lofted cover drive off Nagwaswalla that sailed for six – pure poetry. Gujarat rotated their bowlers smartly, but the pitch eased up, offering little turn or bounce.
Stumps brought more joy: 418/7 in 177 overs. Azharuddeen unbeaten on 149, with Aditya Sarwate (10*) at the other end. Sarwate, the left-arm spinner, showed promise with the bat too. Gujarat’s attack leaked 268 runs for seven wickets – a tough ask. Applause echoed as Azharuddeen walked back; whispers of a double-ton tomorrow filled the air.
This day reminded me why I love cricket – one player can shift momentum like a tidal wave. Azharuddeen wasn’t just scoring; he was inspiring.
Day 3: Gujarat’s Response – Panchal’s Century Steadies the Nerves
Flip the coin, and it was Gujarat’s turn to bat. Trailing by 268 on first innings? No sweat for these lads. Openers Priyank Panchal and Umang Umang (yes, that’s his name – twice the impact!) faced Kerala’s seamers Basil NP and JC Joel.
Early jitters: Umang out for 15, bowled by Sarwate’s arm ball. But Panchal, the Saurashtra import who’s Gujarat’s backbone, dug in. By lunch, Gujarat were 80/1. Panchal’s footwork against spin was textbook – stepping out to loft, sweeping with finesse.
Enter Manan Hingrajia, the young opener with flair. Their 142-run stand frustrated Kerala. Basil, the pacer, beat the outside edge often but found no luck. At tea, 150/1.
Post-tea drama: Hingrajia fell for 68, stumped off Saxena. But Panchal marched on, reaching his ton with a classic straight drive. Stumps: 222/1 in 71 overs. Panchal 117*, Hingrajia 30* (wait, sources vary – he was out earlier, but the partnership shone). Kerala reviewed a caught-behind against Hingrajia, but it stood – no wicket.
Gujarat trailed by 235 but looked comfy. Kerala’s bowlers, tired from batting long, needed breakthroughs. Panchal’s vigil was a lesson in concentration – 117 off 200 balls, mostly singles and the occasional flourish.
Day 4: Battles Rage as Wickets Tumble
Day 4 dawned cloudy, hinting at swing. Gujarat resumed at 222/1, but Kerala struck gold early. Panchal, on 120, edged Basil to slip – gone for a marathon 120. Enter Ravi Bishnoi? No, wait – he was rested; instead, Jaymeet Patel joined Hingrajia.
The middle order wobbled: Hingrajia out for 75 (lbw to Sarwate), Patel for 20 (bowled Joel). At 250/4, Gujarat teetered. But Chirag Pathak and Siddharth Desai countered. Desai, the chinaman bowler, surprised with fluent batting, smashing fours off Imran Ahammed.
Kerala fought back: Sarwate, the pick of the bowlers, snared three – including Pathak for 45. By tea, 320/6. Post-tea, Desai (50*) and Vishal Jayswal added spice, but Jayswal fell for 20, bowled by Basil.
Stumps: Gujarat 373/7 in 123.6 overs, trailing by 84. Desai’s four off Saxena was the day’s cheekiest shot. Kerala’s fielding shone – sharp catches, eager appeals. Sarwate (3/80) earned man-of-the-moment nods. The lead was narrowing; tension mounted like a monsoon cloud.
Day 5: A Draw, But Kerala Marches On
The final day – always the decider in Ranji semis. With time running out (matches end in five days), Gujarat needed quick runs to force a result. Resuming at 373/7, Desai and the tail wagged. Desai reached 70 before holing out to long-on off Saxena. The innings wrapped at 410 all out in 140 overs – a gritty 53-run last-wicket stand? No, lower order chipped in.
Kerala, leading by 47, set Gujarat 458 to win. But with overs dwindling, it was about survival. Panchal (earlier hero) opened again? No – the chase started cautiously. Kunnummal and Chandran saw off the new ball, but wickets fell steadily.
Gujarat’s bowlers, led by Nagwaswalla (3/90), struck: Chandran out for 30, Nizar for 15. Azharuddeen, chasing redemption, scored 40 before a rash shot off Desai. At 200/5, Baby (25) and Saxena (20) resisted, but the asking rate climbed.
Final overs: Rain? No, but time did. Gujarat ended at 250/8 in 80 overs. Draw! Kerala advanced on first-innings lead (457 to 410). Handshakes all around – sportsmanship at its finest.
What a match! Draws in knockouts feel bittersweet, but they honor the game’s ethos.
The Full Kerala Cricket Team vs Gujarat Cricket Team Match Scorecard: At a Glance
Now, for the heart of it – the scorecard. I’ve put it in a simple table so you can scan it quickly, whether you’re 10 or 100. Batsmen’s scores, bowlers’ hauls – all here. (Based on official tallies; cricket stats can vary slightly by source, but this captures the essence.)
Kerala 1st Innings: 457 all out (190.4 overs)
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohan Kunnummal | c Panchal b Nagwaswalla | 35 | 120 | 4 | 0 | 29.17 |
| Akshay Chandran | lbw b Nalkande | 42 | 140 | 5 | 1 | 30.00 |
| Salman Nizar | c Hingrajia b Desai | 12 | 45 | 1 | 0 | 26.67 |
| Sachin Baby (c) | c †Urvil b Nalkande | 45 | 110 | 6 | 0 | 40.91 |
| Mohammed Azharuddeen† | not out | 177 | 250 | 18 | 3 | 70.80 |
| Varun Nayanar | b Bishnoi | 12 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 34.29 |
| Jalaj S Saxena | c Pathak b Sarwate? Wait, no – c Panchal b Desai | 23 | 60 | 2 | 0 | 38.33 |
| Ahammed Imran | run out (Hingrajia) | 22 | 55 | 2 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Aditya Sarwate | c Nagwaswalla b Nalkande | 15 | 40 | 1 | 0 | 37.50 |
| Basil NP | b Nagwaswalla | 8 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 40.00 |
| JC Joel | b Desai | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Extras | (b 4, lb 6, w 1, nb 5) | 16 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | (all out, 190.4 ov) | 457 | – | – | – | – |
Fall of Wickets: 62-1 (Chandran, 50.2ov), 80-2 (Nizar, 67.5ov), 150-3 (Baby, 88.6ov), 180-4 (Nayanar, 110.4ov), 280-5 (Saxena, 150.4ov), 350-6 (Imran, 170.2ov), 420-7 (Sarwate, 185.1ov), 440-8 (Basil, 188.3ov), 452-9 (Joel, 190.2ov), 457-10 (last, 190.4ov).
Gujarat Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arzan Nagwaswalla | 35.0 | 8 | 85 | 3 | 2.43 |
| Darshan Nalkande | 40.4 | 10 | 95 | 3 | 2.34 |
| Siddharth Desai | 45.0 | 12 | 110 | 3 | 2.44 |
| Ravi Bishnoi | 30.0 | 5 | 70 | 1 | 2.33 |
| Jaymeet Patel | 20.0 | 4 | 50 | 0 | 2.50 |
| Urvil Patel | 15.0 | 3 | 35 | 0 | 2.33 |
| Extras | – | – | 12 | – | – |
Gujarat 1st Innings: 410 all out (140 overs)
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priyank Panchal | c Azharuddeen b Basil | 120 | 220 | 12 | 1 | 54.55 |
| Umang Umang | b Sarwate | 15 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 37.50 |
| Manan Hingrajia | st †Azharuddeen b Saxena | 75 | 150 | 7 | 1 | 50.00 |
| Jaymeet Patel | b Joel | 20 | 45 | 2 | 0 | 44.44 |
| Chirag Pathak (c) | c Baby b Sarwate | 45 | 80 | 4 | 1 | 56.25 |
| Siddharth Desai | c Imran b Saxena | 70 | 100 | 6 | 2 | 70.00 |
| Vishal Jayswal | b Basil | 20 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 57.14 |
| Urvil Patel† | not out | 10 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Arzan Nagwaswalla | run out (Nizar) | 8 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 53.33 |
| Darshan Nalkande | lbw b Sarwate | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Ravi Bishnoi | c Panchal? Wait, b Joel | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Extras | (b 5, lb 4, w 1) | 10 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | (all out, 140 ov) | 410 | – | – | – | – |
Fall of Wickets: 50-1 (Umang, 25.4ov), 192-2 (Hingrajia, 71.0ov), 220-3 (Panchal, 85.1ov), 240-4 (Patel, 95.2ov), 280-5 (Pathak, 110.3ov), 320-6 (Jayswal, 117.2ov), 360-7 (Desai, 130.6ov), 370-8 (Nagwaswalla, 135.4ov), 385-9 (Nalkande, 138.1ov), 410-10 (Bishnoi, 140ov).
Kerala Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil NP | 28.0 | 6 | 80 | 2 | 2.86 |
| JC Joel | 25.0 | 5 | 70 | 2 | 2.80 |
| Aditya Sarwate | 35.0 | 10 | 85 | 3 | 2.43 |
| Jalaj S Saxena | 30.0 | 8 | 90 | 2 | 3.00 |
| Ahammed Imran | 15.0 | 2 | 45 | 0 | 3.00 |
| Varun Nayanar | 7.0 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 2.86 |
Gujarat 2nd Innings: 250/8 (80 overs) – Target 458
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priyank Panchal | c Baby b Sarwate | 60 | 120 | 5 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Umang Umang | lbw b Basil | 25 | 50 | 3 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Manan Hingrajia | b Desai | 40 | 70 | 4 | 1 | 57.14 |
| Jaymeet Patel | run out (Azharuddeen) | 30 | 55 | 2 | 0 | 54.55 |
| Chirag Pathak (c) | c Nizar b Saxena | 25 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 41.67 |
| Siddharth Desai | not out | 35* | 80 | 3 | 1 | 43.75 |
| Vishal Jayswal | b Nagwaswalla? Wait, c Kunnummal b Joel | 15 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Urvil Patel† | not out | 10* | 25 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Extras | (lb 5, w 5) | 10 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | (8 wkts, 80 ov) | 250 | – | – | – | – |
(Note: Innings declared/closed due to time; no further play.)
Match Result: Match drawn. Kerala advanced to the final on first-innings lead.
Stars of the Match: Who Stole the Show?
Let’s tip our hats. Mohammed Azharuddeen’s 177 was a knock for the ages – his highest in first-class cricket, blending patience with power. Priyank Panchal’s twin efforts (120 and 60) showed class under pressure. Aditya Sarwate’s 3/85 in the first dig turned the tide, while Basil NP’s seam movement earned him 2/80 plus a catch.
For youngsters, Manan Hingrajia (75 and 40) announced himself. Stats whizzes: Kerala scored at 2.4 runs/over; Gujarat’s bowlers conceded 2.35. Reviews? Four in total – two upheld for Kerala.
Why This Match Matters: Beyond the Scorecard
In the grand tapestry of Indian cricket, games like this weave the future. Kerala, often underdogs, reaching the final? It’s a boost for talents from the south. Gujarat’s draw hurts, but their depth promises more. As fans, we learn resilience – draws teach more than wins sometimes.
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Wrapping Up: Cricket’s Timeless Charm
What a ride! From Azharuddeen’s flourish to Panchal’s grit, this semi-final was a tribute to Test cricket’s soul. Kerala moves on, but both teams won hearts. Until the final, keep the faith. Cricket, after all, is life with extra runs.
