Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Punjab breaks past Kerala’s resistance to earn first-innings lead in draw

Ahammed Imran (86, 178b, 10×4) kept Kerala in contention for a first-innings lead for more than a session on day four before Punjab’s pacers had the final say and secured the three points in their Ranji Trophy Group B match at the PCA New Cricket Stadium, Ground B on Tuesday.

The onus fell on Imran once Ayush Goyal breached the gap between B. Aparajith’s bat and pad to castle him, shortly after his fifty. Imran had been second fiddle in the 68-run seventh-wicket stand, that had kept Kerala alive on day three, but swiftly embraced the responsibility that came his way.

He drove Goyal through mid-on and Ramandeep Singh through covers for two boundaries, before adding another with a flick against Goyal. He was alert to the threat from the pitch throughout, ensuring he took a long stride forward before meeting the ball.

If Punjab assumed it could run Imran out of partners, its hopes were dispelled when Shoun Roger (27, 106b, 3×4, 1×6) picked Mayank Markande for an inside-out maximum and complemented it with a cover drive off Naman Dhir.

Punjab was frustrated further after Imran’s edge off Dhir ran through between slip and the wicketkeeper.

Kerala brought the deficit below 100 runs after the lunch break as Shoun swept Dhir twice and pocketed eight runs.

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But like the previous day, the pacers were made to look unplayable by the inadequate bounce in the second session.

Goyal initiated the disruption, and broke a stubborn partnership for the second time on the day, by pinning Shoun. Kerala’s efforts unravelled rather quickly once the 78-run eighth-wicket partnership ended.

Four overs later, Imran denied himself a shot at a maiden First-Class hundred with a stray cover drive from his body and nicked behind off Krish Bhagat.

Akshay Chandran cut Dhir for consecutive boundaries, but it merely delayed the inevitable.

M.D. Nidheesh was castled Bhagat in the next over, bundling Kerala on 371 and handing Punjab a 65-run lead.

Both teams completed the formality of walking out onto the field for the second innings. But after only seven overs, at the stroke of tea, Kerala and Punjab shook hands to draw curtains on the contest.

Published on Oct 28, 2025