Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Unadkat puts brakes on Kerala to keep Saurashtra alive on Day 2
Saurashtra skipper Jaydev Unadkat’s crafty spell and a familiar lower order collapse prevented Kerala from taking control of the Group B Elite Ranji Trophy match at the KCA Stadium, Mangalapuram here on Sunday.
Kerala, which was sitting comfortably at 214 for five, collapsed spectacularly, losing the last five wickets for just 19 runs which allowed Saurashtra to stay alive in the contest as it restricted the host’s lead to 73 runs. When bad light stopped play half-an-hour before the scheduled close, Saurashtra had reached 47 for one with Jay Gohil (22) and Gajjar Sammar (20) at the crease.
Saurashtra owed its comeback to captain Unadkat, whose skill and variations proved too much for a tentative Kerala batting lineup. The first to fall to his guile was Ahammed Imran (10). After softening him up with a few probing overs, Unadkat struck when Imran pushed forward uncertainly and offered a leading edge back to the bowler. Soon after, Mohammed Azharuddeen (0) failed to cover the late swing and was caught behind.
In his second spell, Unadkat cleaned up Eden Apple Tom (4) and forced an edge from Baba Aparajith (69) to end the Kerala innings.
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Saurashtra bowlers kept Kerala batters in check and picked up wickets whenever a partnership flourished. Rohan Kunnummal (80) curbed his attacking style and survived the opening hour. But the batter missed a flick off an incoming ball from Chirag Jani and was trapped in front.
Ankit Sharma joined Aparajith and both batters played positively, punishing the bad deliveries, to forge a 78-run stand for the sixth wicket. Ankit was severe on the spinners and pulled Yuvrajsingh for a six over square leg when he dropped short. However, Ankit (38) fell, flicking spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja straight to Ansh Gosai at shortleg and his dismissal triggered the collapse.
Harvik Desai failed for the second time with Nidheesh inducing the edge from the batter. However, Jay Gohil counterattacked, striking four crisp boundaries in his unbeaten 22, to wrest the initiative for his side.
The scores:
Saurashtra — 1st innings: 160
Kerala — 1st innings: A.K. Akarsh b Kanbi 18, Rohan Kunnummal lbw Jani 80, Sachin Baby c Gosai b Kanbi 1, Ahammed Imran c & b Unadkat 10, B. Aparajith c Mankad b Unadkat 69, Mohammed Azharuddeen c Deasi b Unadkat 0, Ankit Sharma c Gosai b Jadeja 38, Varun Nayanar c Vasavada b Mankad 0, N.P. Basil run out 0, Eden Apple Tom b Unadkat 4, M.D. Nidheesh not out 1; Extras: (b-4, lb-6, nb-2):12; Total (in 74.5 overs): 233.
Fall of wickets: 1-61, 2-75, 3-103, 4-128, 5-136, 6-214, 7-219, 8-221, 9-232.
Saurashtra bowling: Unadkat 16.5-2-42-4, Kanbi 13-2-53-2, Jani 14-2-43-1, Mankad 12-1-37-1, Jadeja 16-2-32-1, Yuvrajsinh 3-1-16-0.
Saurashtra — 2nd innings: Harvik Desai c Rohan b Nidheesh 5, Gajjar Sammar (batting) 20, Jay Gohil (batting) 22; Total (for one wkt. in 17 overs): 47.
Fall of wickets: 1-20.
Kerala bowling: Nidheesh 7-1-17-1, Basil 7-2-19-0, Eden 3-0-11-0,
Published on Nov 09, 2025
