The Kerala cricket team vs Gujarat cricket team match scorecard of Ranji Trophy 2024–25 semi-final is the tale of a thrilling contest that was a reminder of what first-class cricket is all about. This semi-final, staged at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from 17–21 February 2025, contained plenty of tension, drama and personal sterling efforts.
It was a hard-fought five days, but at the end of it the game ended in a draw, however Kerala made history by reaching their maiden Ranji Trophy final. The deciding factor? A slim 2-run first-innings lead that epitomized why patience, resilience and adherence is all that is important in red-ball cricket.
Kerala Cricket Team and Gujarat Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Here is the full breakdown of the innings:
| Innings | Team | Runs | Overs | Top Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Innings | Kerala | 457 | 187.0 | Mohammed Azharuddeen 177, Jalaj Saxena 73 |
| 1st Innings | Gujarat | 455 | 174.4 | Priyank Panchal 148, Jaymeet Patel 79 |
| 2nd Innings | Kerala | 114/4 (unfinished) | 46.0 | Jalaj Saxena – 37* |
| 2nd Innings | Gujarat | Did not bat | — | Kerala had already qualified through lead |
The Kerala cricket team vs Gujarat cricket team match scorecard indicates how close the contest was. Kerala’s first innings score of 457 was nearly matched punch for punch by Gujarat’s 455. In the end, it was Kerala’s knack of just doing enough to get ahead, often by a couple of runs, that made the difference.
First Innings – Kerala’s Foundation
Kerala chose to bat, and from then on their innings was about one man — Mohammed Azharuddeen. A forceful strokeplayer in shorter formats, Azharuddeen displayed amazing patience and concentration, batting for hours to make a magnificent 177 from 341 balls. His innings was studded with 21 fours and one six which set the tone for Kerala to fight against Gujarat.
Backing him up was seasoned campaigner Jalaj Saxena (73), who also showed enough patience amid crisis. It was all the two of them for Kerala as the team managed a strong 457 all out in 187 overs.
The bowlers worked hard for Gujarat, particularly Aditya Sarwate, who claimed 4 for 111 in 45.4 overs.
Gujarat’s Response
In response, Gujarat displayed some depth of their own. Captain Priyank Panchal led from the front with a solid 148 off 237 deliveries that held the innings together against Kerala’s disciplined performance with the ball. Further down the order, Jaymeet Patel contributed a crucial 79 to keep Gujarat in the hunt.
But even after their best efforts, Gujarat managed to reach 455 for the loss of a wicket in 174.4 overs, two runs short of the first innings lead. It was Kerala’s bowlers, led by Jalaj Saxena (4/149 in 71 overs), who had a big role to play in restricting Gujarat.
These 2 runs could have made a difference which would have ended the match in favor of Kerala and to the finals of Ranji Trophy.
Kerala’s Second Innings
Kerala had no reason to push in their second innings. They concentrated on survival and making sure Gujarat didn’t time a late comeback.
They ended at 114/4 in 46 overs with Jalaj Saxena once again stabilising the innings, having remained not out on 37. At this point both sides shook hands and the match was drawn. Kerala though would make the final thanks to a first innings lead.
Star Performers from the Match
| Team | Player | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala | Mohammed Azharuddeen | 177 (341 balls), Man of the Match |
| Kerala | Jalaj Saxena | 73 (1st inns), 37* (2nd inns), 4/149 with the ball |
| Kerala | Aditya Sarwate | 4/111 in Gujarat’s 1st innings (lengthy, gruelling spell) |
| Gujarat | Priyank Panchal | 148 (237 balls), captain’s knock |
| Gujarat | Jaymeet Patel | 79 (177), saving stand with No 9, lower-order defiance |
Why Kerala Qualified
The first-innings lead is the bigger calling card in the Ranji Trophy knockout. In case of a tie in a match, the side leading in the first innings advances to the next round.
Kerala’s 457 vs Gujarat’s 455 was good enough to make it to the Ranji Trophy finals for the first time ever.
This rule has long been discussed but it points to all runs being important in the first innings run chase of a first class match.
Key Moments in the Match
- Azharuddeen’s 177 – A marathon of an innings that shaped the course of the game.
- Panchal’s 148 – Gujarat’s skipper was fighting, leading from the front and all that, and nearly erased Kerala’s lead.
- Saxena’s all-round display – Runs in both innings and a 4-fers in the first innings.
- The 2-run lead – A game of inches determining who made the final.
Summary: Kerala vs Gujarat Table – A Comparison
| Aspect | Kerala | Gujarat |
|---|---|---|
| First Innings Score | 457 | 455 |
| Top Scorer | Azharuddeen – 177 | Panchal – 148 |
| Best Bowler | Saxena – 4/149 | Sarwate – 4/111 |
| Second Innings | 114/4 (unfinished) | Did not bat |
| Result | Progressed to Final (via lead) | Knocked Out |
SEO-Optimized FAQs
Q1: What is the Kerala cricket team vs Gujarat cricket team match scorecard?
Kerala: 457 & 114/4 (unfinished)
Gujarat: 455 all out
Result: Match drawn. Kerala won based on first-innings lead.
Q2: In the Kerala cricket team vs Gujarat cricket team match scorecard, who scored the highest number of runs?
Man of the Match: Mohammed Azharuddeen (Kerala) – 177 runs
Q3: Who was the pick of the bowlers in the match?
For Kerala, the star was Jalaj Saxena (4/149), while for Gujarat, Aditya Sarwate scalped 4/111.
Q4: Why is Kerala through despite the draw?
If we are in the Ranji Trophy final, it’s because we took the first-innings lead of 2 runs.
Q5: What was significant about this match?
This was Kerala’s maiden qualification to a Ranji Trophy final.
Conclusion
The Kerala cricket team vs Gujarat cricket team match scorecard is just an example that in cricket history are decided by the smallest of margins. In the end, Kerala held on to a hard-earned two-run lead to book a spot in the Ranji Trophy 2024 – 25 final.
It was a performance which had all the elements of a great knock — grit, drama, memorable moments — just like Azharuddeen’s 177 also had in plenty. For Kerala, it was more than just about winning the semi-final; it was about an opportunity to make history and serve as an inspiration for a fresh breed of cricketers that the state can expect to produce in the next few years.
As we build up to the Ranji Trophy final, this semi-final will remain one of the closest and most entertaining contests in the competition’s recent past.
Content Source; cricketrivalry.com
