A prestigious, unparalleled achievement
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Through a dream run, Kerala became the runners-up for the first time in the 90-year history of the Ranji Trophy cricket championship. Sachin Baby and his team secured a spot in the historic final by defeating fabled and formidable opponents. Though they missed out on the cup, this feat is as significant as a title. Kerala has written a new chapter in cricket history with a spectacular run, remaining undefeated until the final. In the sporting landscape, Kerala has traditionally been known for football, volleyball, and athletics. Even when India gained prominence in international cricket in the mid-1970s, the sport had little footing in the state. Since the formation of the Kerala Cricket Association in 1957, the team played in the highly competitive South Zone group, struggling against powerhouses like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Hyderabad. Occasional consolation came from isolated victories against Andhra and Goa. Until the arrival of Tinu Yohannan, Kerala did not have a single player who could make it to the national team. Kerala, which had faced repeated setbacks in the Ranji Trophy, began defeating star-studded teams like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Hyderabad by the late 1990s. In the 1994-95 season, it emerged as the South Zone champion.
As the championship transitioned from zonal competitions to group-stage matches, Kerala advanced through the pre-quarterfinals, quarterfinals, and semifinals. Yet, a place in the final remained a distant dream. After losing to Vidarbha in their first-ever semifinal in 2019, Kerala's campaign ended in the group stage. It was from there that they made their way forward this time, competing in a group that included six former Ranji Trophy-winning teams. The so-called "group of death," considered highly competitive, featured Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bengal. Bihar was the only relatively weaker team. However, Kerala stepped in with firm determination, choosing to fight without worrying about the strength of their opponents. The team’s collective strength ensured that if one player faltered, another stepped up to lift the team in every match. Kerala secured innings victories over Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. They also dominated Punjab in the opening match. The games against Madhya Pradesh and Haryana ended in draws, while rain played spoilsport in the matches against Karnataka and Bengal. Eventually, Kerala secured a spot in the quarterfinals as the second-placed team, just behind Haryana.
In Group A, Jammu and Kashmir, having defeated powerhouses like Mumbai and Baroda, entered the quarterfinals at the peak of confidence. However, in an intense battle, Kerala edged past them with a slender first-innings lead of just one run to book their semifinal berth. Against former champions Gujarat, they secured a historic final ticket with another thrilling two-run first-innings lead. With prayers from the entire state backing them, Kerala stepped onto the field against Vidarbha, a team that had emerged as a dominant force in domestic cricket in recent times. Defeat was never an option. For the first three days, the contest remained evenly poised. Even when Vidarbha gained the upper hand in the last two days, the match ultimately ended in a draw. At a time when Kerala's cup hopes had soared high, a few mistimed shots and missed catches turned into moments of misfortune in the final. Losing a lead that was within reach, Kerala slipped away from the dream of the title but finished as runners-up, announcing the arrival of a formidable new force in Indian cricket. Kerala achieved this feat despite the absence of Sanju Samson, Vishnu Vinod, and guest player Baba Aparajith, all sidelined by injuries. Mohammed Azharuddeen and Salman Nizar, known for their aggressive style, played a key role in driving Kerala’s progress. With his wealth of experience, captain Sachin Baby led from the front, while all-rounder Jalaj Saxena delivered outstanding performances. Alongside Jalaj, guest player Aditya Sarwate also delivered impressive performances. In the group stage, openers Rohan Kunnummal and Akshay Chandran played crucial roles, while fast bowlers M.D. Nidheesh and N.P. Basil performed admirably. Apple Eden Tom and Imran Ahmad, who earned opportunities in decisive matches, shone well as beacons of Kerala cricket's promising future.
Kerala completed its remarkable campaign by embodying extraordinary fighting spirit, unwavering mental strength, and absolute self-confidence like never before. So far, Tinu Yohannan and Sreesanth are the only Keralites to have represented the national team in Test cricket. In T20s and ODIs, Sanju Samson has had intermittent appearances. Basil Thampi and Sandeep Warrier, who played in the IPL, also moved in and out of the squad. Until now, the state took pride in players who were only half-Keralites. But now, Sachin Baby and his team have convinced the national selectors that Kerala not only produces quality cricketers but also has players capable of competing with the best. This is also a warning that the doors that had remained closed for Ananthapadmanabhan and Jalaj Saxena cannot be closed to the new generation of players. This achievement brings an unprecedented sense of awakening and excitement to Kerala cricket. Every player who lifted Kerala’s reputation on the battlefield of cricket, including coach and former Indian player Amay Khurasiya from Madhya Pradesh, the supporting staff, and the Kerala Cricket Association that stood by the team’s journey, have much to be proud of in this triumph.
