Centurion Priyank Panchal leads Gujarat's strong reply against Kerala in Ranji Trophy semis

NEW DELHI: Gujarat’s experienced batter Priyank Panchal played a composed knock, remaining unbeaten on 117, as the former champions reached 222/1 at stumps on Day 3 of their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Kerala in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Trailing by just 235 runs with two full days left, Gujarat’s batting lineup displayed resilience and intent on a placid Motera pitch, where Kerala seemed to have fallen at least 100 runs short after scoring at a slow pace.

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Resuming their first innings at 418/7, Kerala added 39 more runs before being bowled out for 457 within 10 overs of the morning session.

Mohammed Azharuddeen remained unbeaten on a career-best 177 off 341 balls, an innings laced with 20 fours and a solitary six, holding Kerala’s innings together as wickets tumbled around him.



Gujarat skipper Chintan Gaja provided the breakthrough early in the day, dismissing Aditya Sarwate with a delivery that straightened from middle stump to clip the off-stump. Sarwate managed just one run before becoming Gaja’s 200th first-class victim in his 59th match.

Sensing the need for quick runs, Azharuddeen pushed Kerala past 450 with a boundary off Arzan Nagwaswalla. However, with wickets falling at the other end, he was left stranded as Nidheesh MD (run out) and Nedumankuzhy Basil (bowled by Gaja) departed in quick succession.

In response, Gujarat’s openers started positively, with Panchal and Aarya Desai forging a solid 131-run partnership in 36.4 overs.

Desai, mixing aggression with composure, scored 73 off 118 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and a six. However, he lost his wicket after dragging a wide delivery from Basil onto his stumps.

Despite the breakthrough, Kerala’s bowlers struggled to make further inroads. Panchal, a veteran of the domestic circuit, anchored the innings with a perfect balance of caution and aggression.

He reached his 29th first-class century—and his second of the season—off just 155 balls, bringing up the milestone in style with a six over long-on against Sarwate.

The 34-year-old, once on the fringes of the Indian team after Gujarat’s historic Ranji Trophy triumph in 2016-17, had endured a quiet season with just one century (against Rajasthan) and a half-century (against Vidarbha) before this match. However, he delivered when his team needed him most.

Hingrajia provided steady support at the other end, remaining unbeaten on 30 off 108 balls with three boundaries.

For Kerala, veteran spinner Jalaj Saxena created some chances and induced a few edges, but the lack of support from the field meant Gujarat continued to consolidate their position.

Brief Scores:Kerala 457; 187 overs (Mohammed Azharuddeen 177 not out, Sachin Baby 69, Salman Nizar 52; Arzan Nagwaswalla 3/81, Chintan Gaja 2/75).Gujarat 222/1; 71 overs (Priyank Panchal 117 batting, Aarya Desai 73, Manan Hingrajia 30 batting; Nedumankuzhy Basil 1/40). Gujarat trail by 235 runs.

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