The Ranji Trophy encounter in Thiruvananthapuram concluded with a frustrating draw for Kerala, who were left to lament a series of missed chances against Maharashtra. A combination of dropped catches, a noticeably deflated bowling attack, and an overall underwhelming batting display, exacerbated by the crucial absence of veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena, saw a dominant position slip through their fingers on Saturday.
Starting the final day comfortably at 71/0, Maharashtra showcased remarkable resilience and discipline. Spearheaded by Prithvi Shaw’s elegant 75 runs and unblemished half-centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Siddhesh Veer, they successfully stifled Kerala’s hopes of victory with a solid batting performance.
By the close of play, Maharashtra had reached 224/2, skillfully batting through the entire day. This composed effort not only secured them three vital points but also gave them a significant psychological advantage, especially after finding themselves in a perilous situation earlier in the game.
Kerala’s prime opportunity for an early breakthrough emerged right on the first ball of the day. Prithvi Shaw, still to get off the mark, played a loose shot at a wide delivery from MD Nidheesh, presenting a straightforward catch to Baba Aparajith at point. However, the chance was regrettably put down.
Seizing this lifeline, Shaw proceeded to craft a fluent 75, establishing a resilient foundation for Maharashtra’s batting effort.
Unfortunately, Kerala’s fielding miseries continued. Sanju Samson then fumbled a challenging chance at first slip off left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma, against Arshin Kulkarni, deepening the team’s frustrations.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had previously shone with a top score of 91 in the first innings, partnered with Siddhesh Veer to consolidate the innings, forging an unbroken 103-run stand for the third wicket.
On a pitch that offered minimal support to the bowlers, Kerala’s attack was a stark contrast to the incisive force that had dismantled Maharashtra for 18/5 on the opening day.
As the day progressed under the scorching sun, so did the mounting pressure. With every over bowled, Kerala watched the match steadily slip beyond their reach.
Captain Mohammed Azharuddeen candidly addressed the team’s inconsistent performance. He conceded, “We performed strongly in patches, but our batsmen failed to convert starts, and our fielding let us down at crucial moments.”
Azharuddeen also emphasized the profound impact of veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena’s absence, noting it wasn’t just his playing ability but his strategic insight that was sorely missed. He recalled an incident: “When Salman Nizar was batting yesterday and light was fading, their captain suggested bringing on a spinner. Jalaj instantly intervened, recognizing Salman’s strength against spin, and averted that tactic. We truly lacked that level of astute cricketing intelligence on the field.”
Ultimately, the game boiled down to Kerala’s inability to capitalize on critical moments. Despite having Maharashtra cornered, they allowed the advantage, and three invaluable points, to elude them.
Looking ahead to a crucial upcoming match against Punjab, the team management might consider a fresh injection of talent, potentially offering a debut to promising young player Abhishek P Nair.
For now, Kerala is left to reflect on a match they largely dominated but ultimately failed to secure.
Match Summary:
Maharashtra: 239 & 224/2 (Prithvi Shaw 75, Ruturaj Gaikwad 55 not out)
Kerala: 219
Match Drawn.
Maharashtra earned 3 points, while Kerala secured 1 point.