Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Jalaj, Vicky shine as Maharashtra takes lead despite Samson fifty
Salman Nizar batting with the Kerala lower order triggered a sense of deja vu for Jalaj Saxena. The all-rounder was first-hand witness to epic comebacks scripted by the left-hander last season. After an animated discussion with his captain, Jalaj had a nine-man shield on the boundary lines
Soon Jalaj was celebrating widely as he caught Salman (49) at the backward point fence, slashing at a delivery from Mukesh Choudhary and Kerala (219) fell short of Maharashtra’s first innings total by 20 runs.
Maharashtra had extended that lead to 71 (51 for no loss) when bad light stopped play one hour ahead of the scheduled close. Prithvi Shaw (37 not out) and Arshin Kulkarni (14 not out) were unbeaten at stumps.
Kerala’s batters failed to convert their starts against a disciplined bowling effort from Maharashtra. Sanju Samson played a composed knock of 54 but got out at the wrong time, bottom edging left-arm spinner Vicky Ostwal to wicketkeeper Saurabh Nawale.
Sanju started positively, smacking Jalaj over the midwicket fence for a six and then square drove Rajneesh Gurbani for a boundary. Sachin Baby, in his 100th Ranji match, played second fiddle to Sanju and they added 40 runs for the fourth wicket.
But Saurabh took a fine catch down the leg side off medium pacer Ramakrishna Ghosh to end Baby’s (7) tenure. Mohammed Azharuddeen (36) played fluently in an innings punctuated with crisp drives. He added 57 runs for the fifth wicket with Sanju. But their dismissals in quick succession put Maharashtra in control.
However, Salman Nizar and Ankit Sharma resisted to add 49 runs for the seventh wicket. Ankit (17) feathered a catch to Saurabh off Jalaj. Salman was left with the tail but Eden Apple Tom (3) was bounced out by Mukesh and M.D. Nidheesh (4) was lured out of his crease by Jalaj. Salman couldn’t replicate his heorics again as Kerala conceded the lead.
Published on Oct 17, 2025
