In the headlines a few weeks ago, the Ranji Trophy is now back among the news briefs. It is unlikely to get more space over the next fortnight if the Men in Blue progress to the business end of the Champions Trophy. However, the semi-finals of India’s premier first-class competition, beginning on Monday (February 17), will unfold in familiar obscurity.
That does not mean a drop in seriousness or intensity from the teams involved. The last four feature Kerala alongside Mumbai, Vidarbha, and Gujarat. The southern team has made it this far only once before and is seeking a maiden final appearance. The other three sides have shared five titles between them in the last ten editions.
Vidarbha vs Mumbai, VCA Stadium, Nagpur
Vidarbha know they can improve on last year’s final, where they fell to Mumbai. They have won seven of their eight matches so far, taking first-innings leads in the other. Bolstered by outstation professionals Karun Nair and Dhruv Shorey, they also possess homegrown talents like Yash Rathod and Harsh Dubey. Importantly, the team is firing on all cylinders.
Dubey, the left-arm spinner, is the leading bowler in the competition with 59 wickets. The 22-year-old has also amassed over 400 runs, including half-centuries in both innings of the last two matches. Nair has been the star of the batting unit recently, but Rathod has scored more runs and hit four centuries. Vidarbha have contributors across both departments.
Mumbai are no longer the invincibles they once were, though they have fought back from dire situations in the last two seasons. However, their opponents will remember that Mumbai lost to Baroda and Jammu & Kashmir in the group stage. Their top and middle order have been brittle, leaving the burden of run-scoring on the all-rounders, who are also their main wicket-takers.
Shardul Thakur, Shams Mulani, and Tanush Kotian have been bailing Mumbai out, but it is time for the 42-time champions to get their other resources going. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who returned to form in the last two outings, must lead the batting unit, which will miss Yashasvi Jaiswal. The India opener has been ruled out due to an ankle injury.
Players to Watch
Vidarbha: Karun Nair, Harsh Dubey, Yash Rathod
Mumbai: Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Shardul Thakur
Gujarat vs Kerala, Motera, Ahmedabad
Gujarat are on a path of resurgence after winning their only title in 2016-17, when they beat Mumbai in the final. This squad features a mix of youngsters, players in their mid-twenties, and seasoned campaigners. The moderate form of experienced opener Priyank Panchal has not been a setback, thanks to regular contributions from Jaymeet Patel, Manan Hingrajia, Urvil Patel, and Umang Kumar.
Despite left-arm spinner Siddharth Desai leading their wicket-taking charts with 35, Gujarat’s medium-pacers have also performed well. Veterans Arzan Nagwaswalla and Chintan Gaja have struck crucial blows, while Jaymeet’s part-time left-arm medium pace has chipped in. The return of leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi should be a boost for a bowling unit that thrives as a pack.
Kerala endured the most dramatic quarter-final, securing a one-run lead before batting out the final day to seal progression. They have shown resilience despite missing Sanju Samson. Salman Nizar and Mohammed Azharuddeen are the leading scorers, with captain Sachin Baby, Rohan Kunnummal, and all-rounder Jalaj Saxena also making contributions.
Saxena, 38, and Aditya Sarwate, 35, must be among the oldest spin duos in recent Ranji Trophy history. Saxena has spent several years with Kerala after switching from Madhya Pradesh, while Sarwate moved from Vidarbha this season. The former’s off-spin and the latter’s left-arm orthodox have yielded 60 wickets between them. However, Kerala’s pace department, led by MD Nidheesh, is comparatively weaker.
Players to Watch
Gujarat: Ravi Bishnoi, Jaymeet Patel, Siddharth Desai
Kerala: Jalaj Saxena, Salman Nizar, Aditya Sarwate
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