Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Chandigarh beats Kerala by an innings and 92-run
Chandigarh arrived with modest ambitions but left with its head held high after inflicting an innings and 92-run defeat on host Kerala in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match at the KCA stadium here on Saturday.
Old habits die hard, and it was another indiscreet display from the Kerala batters, whose wrong choice of shots was calamitous on a surface which held no demons. Chandigarh bowlers were rewarded for adhering to the virtues of discipline and patience.
Kerala’s second innings lasted just 48 overs, and Chandigarh wrapped up the win one hour after lunch when Nidheesh played an ugly hoick off Vishu Kashyap and was caught at point by Jagjit Singh. The slump started when Sachin Baby (six) showed poor judgement, shouldering arms to a straight delivery from Rohit Dhanda and was bowled, B. Aparajith (17) flicked Jagjit Singh straight to Nikhil Thakur at square leg as Kerala slipped to 44 for four in the first hour.
Vishnu Vinod (56, 43b, 12×4) and Salman Nizar (53, 84b, 4×4, 4×6) struck contrasting fifties and shared the innings’ highest partnership: 63 runs for the fifth wicket. However, after dominating the bowling, both batters threw away their wickets—a lapse that epitomised Kerala’s ruinous batting approach.
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Tighter lines from Chandigarh bowlers kept Vishnu, who raced to 54 off 34 balls, quiet for just an over. The batter lost patience and tried to hoist a short ball from Rohit Dhanda but only got a leading edge which was caught by the bowler himself.
Vishnu’s dismissal saw Kerala lose two more wickets in the same over . Mohammed Azharuddeen (0) pulled Rohit straight to Nishunk Birla at third man and Anik Sharma was trapped in front for a golden duck as Kerala slipped to 107 for seven.
Salman counterattacked and added 34 runs for the eight wicket with Sreehari Nair (2). But Arjun Azad won a lbw decision in his favour to dismiss Sreehari in the last over before lunch.
The stubborn Eden Apple Tom (14 not out) helped Salman reach his fifty. But Salman fell just after his milestone, bowled, attempting a reverse sweep off Vishu. Nidheesh (12) was dismissed trying another big hit and it signalled victory for Chandigarh.
The scores
Kerala – 1st innings 139
Chandigarh – 1st innings: 419
Kerala – 2nd innings: Abhishek J.Nair c Arjit b Karthik 4; Rohan S. Kunnummal (Concussion Sub) lbw b Vishu 11; Sachin Baby b Rohit 6, B. Aparajith c Nikhil b Jagjit 17, Vishnu Vinod c & b Rohit 56, Salman Nizar b Vishu 53, Mohammed Azaruddeen c Birla b Rohit 0, Ankit Sharma lbw b Rohit 0; Sreehari S.Nair lbw b Arjun 2, Eden Apple Tom not out 14, M.D. Nidheesh c Jagjit b Vishu 12; Extras (w-1, b-8, lb-1):10; Total (in 48 overs):185.
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-21, 3-40, 4-44, 5-107, 6-106, 7-107, 8-141, 9-167.
Chandigarh bowling: Karthik 2-0-5-1, Birla 8-2-61-0, Rohit 14-3-38-4, Vishu 12-2-41-3, Jagjit 9-2-25-1, Taranpreet 1-1-0-0, Arjun 2-0-8-1.
Result: Chandigarh won by an innings and 92 runs.
Published on Jan 24, 2026
