Punjab on the Brink: First Innings Dominance Sets Stage for Potential Victory Over Kerala

Punjab took advantage of the low bounce on a deteriorating day-three pitch to hinder Kerala’s efforts to bat through two full days and secure a first-innings lead in their Group B Ranji Trophy match at the PCA New Cricket Stadium, Ground B, on Monday.

Vathsal Govind, Ankit Sharma (62 off 152 balls, with 6 fours and 1 six), and Mohammed Azharuddeen (43 off 72 balls, with 2 fours and 2 sixes) struggled against deliveries that stayed low and trapped them in front.

B. Aparajith (39 not out from 49 balls, with 6 fours) and Ahammed Imran frequently advanced out of their crease to avoid similar dismissals, guiding Kerala to 247—189 runs short of parity with four wickets remaining on the final day.

In the morning session, Ankit aggressively faced the pacers, clipping Ayush Goyal for a boundary before upper-cutting Krish Bhagat over third man for a six.

However, Kerala’s strategy became evident when Vathsal played cautiously and relied solely on his front-footed defense, avoiding other shots.

Kerala played five consecutive maiden overs from the 13th to the 17th. When Vathsal eventually attempted a sweep against Naman Dhir, the ball slipped under his bat, rendering his patient 106-ball 18 futile.

Ankit and Rohan Kunnummal adapted and played more proactively. Kunnummal charged down to Dhir, hitting him over long on, while Ankit took advantage of the width from Mayank Markande, driving through the covers.

After lunch, the pair continued attacking Dhir, with Ankit hitting him through midwicket and Kunnummal lofting him down the ground in the same over. However, the productive third-wicket partnership succumbed to the inconsistent bounce, ending on 69 when Ramandeep trapped Ankit.

Kunnummal was caught behind by keeper Salil Arora after edging an attempted late cut off Prerit Dutta.

Azharuddeen and Sachin Baby fought to maintain Kerala’s momentum, adding quick runs. To push Azharuddeen back, Ayush Goyal bowled bouncers, setting up a length ball to trap him.

Azharuddeen hooked two bouncers from Ayush for boundaries, but Punjab achieved their goal through Krish Bhagat, whose length delivery pinned Azharuddeen’s front foot.

Sachin capitalized on the spinners, cutting Markande and driving Dhir for boundaries. However, he was eventually dismissed leg-before by a delivery from Dhir that straightened.

Facing a tough situation, Aparajith took risks on the pitch and launched a counterattack.

Off his first ball, he drove Bhagat between mid-on and mid-off, then drilled Ramandeep through covers for another boundary.

Aparajith had to frequently crouch low to handle deliveries with low bounce. Imran supported with a clip over square leg and a nudge through fine leg off Goyal in the same over.

Their unbeaten 48-run stand gave Kerala hope in the final hour, providing the visitors a chance to take the contest deep.

Published on Oct 27, 2025.