Ranji Trophy 2025-26, Round 4: Nidheesh wrecks Saurashtra to put Kerala in command on Day 1
Kerala enjoyed one of its best days in Ranji Trophy this season as it took a firm grip of the Elite Group B match against Saurashtra at the KCA stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
The host banked on M.D. Nidheesh’s newfound lethality (six for 20) to bundle out Saurashtra for 160, and then opener Rohan Kunnummal’s unbeaten 58-ball 59 took Kerala to 82 for two at Stumps on the first day.
Earlier, Nidheesh found movement and bounce with the new ball and asked probing questions to rival batters. Harvik Desai edged a catch to Kunnummal at first slip off the fifth ball of the innings. Chirag Jani (5) and Arpit Vasavada fell to catches in the slips off successive deliveries from Nidheesh as Saurashtra slipped to seven for three in the seventh over.
However, the counterattacking Jay Gohil and circumspect Prerak Mankad figured in a 69-run stand for the fourth wicket to repair the damage.
Nidheesh returned for his second spell and dismissed Mankad with a late outswinger to break the threatening partnership. Nidheesh followed it up with another excellent outswinger to dismiss Ansh Gosai (1) to complete his five-wicket haul as Saurashtra slumped to 82 for five at lunch.
Gohil and Sammar Gajjar repaired the damage partially with their 41-run association for the sixth wicket. Gohil’s (84) impetuosity brought his downfall as he top-edged a pull off Eden Apple Tom and was caught by Archana Akarsh at short fine-leg.
For a change, Kerala didn’t allow the Saurashtra tail to wag. Off-spinner Baba Aparajith dismissed Sammar (23) and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (11) quickly, and Nidheesh yorked Jaydev Unadkat (16) as the visitor folded up for 160.
Kunnummal, in the company of debutant Akarsh, gave Kerala its highest opening stand (61) of the season. Kunnummal flayed the medium pacers to race to his fifty off 45 balls. However, Hiten Kanbi dismissed both Akarsh (18) and Sachin Baby (1) to peg Kerala back.
Published on Nov 08, 2025
