Kerala Aims to Break Goa Jinx in Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Finale

The triumphs of the 2024-25 season now seem like a distant memory for Kerala’s Ranji Trophy team.

After an impressive performance last season, which culminated in their first-ever runners-up finish in India’s premier red-ball tournament, Kerala has struggled to impress this season.

With just eight points from six matches, a winless Kerala currently languishes at the bottom of Elite Group C.

Kerala is eager to avoid finishing with the wooden spoon as they face Goa in the final round of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 group-stage matches.

The match will be played on a green pitch at the Goa Cricket Association Ground in Porvorim, making the coin toss on Thursday crucial for both teams.

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Kerala hit rock bottom in the previous round with a discouraging innings defeat at home to Chandigarh, which dashed any hopes they had of making an unlikely advance from the group.

Goa is also out of contention for a quarterfinal spot. With 11 points, Goa sits fifth in the eight-team group and risks dropping to the bottom if they lose to Kerala and other results go against them.

Goa started the season strongly with an impressive innings victory over Chandigarh at home but has since hit a rough patch, suffering losses in their last three matches. Their latest defeat, against Maharashtra, ended their hopes for a knockout spot.

A positive note for the home team this season has been the batting performance of No. 3 batter Abhinav Tejrana.

In his debut Ranji season, the left-hander has been the second-highest run-scorer of the campaign, amassing 770 runs at a remarkable average of 85.55.

The 25-year-old Tejrana, with four centuries already to his name, will be looking to conclude his inaugural domestic season with a strong performance against Kerala.

With their chances of qualification gone, both Kerala and Goa will mainly be playing for pride.

Published on Jan 28, 2026