The 2024-25 season is nearing its end. Just three matches remain. It’s time for the Ranji Trophy semifinals. Gujarat takes on Kerala in the first semifinal, and Mumbai takes on Vidarbha in Nagpur in the second semifinal. All for a spot in the final and a chance to get hold of the coveted Ranji Trophy.
Mumbai vs Vidarbha: Last year’s Ranji Trophy Final rematch
The second semifinal could be the main match. It’s a rematch of the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy Final. Vidarbha got across the line as Mumbai won their 42nd title. But the Akshay Wadkar-led side isn’t to be taken lightly. They are 2-time champions and are to lose a match this season.
The same can’t be said for Mumbai. The Ajinkya Rahane-led team was given a reality check by Jammu and Kashmir, but they have done incredibly well to bounce back. Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shivam Dube joined them, but unfortunately, Jaiswal suffered an ankle injury, which ruled him out. They have been hampered by injuries before as well, but such is their bench strength that they make yet another semifinal.
Against Mumbai, almost every team looks like an underdog. Last year’s finalists, Vidarbha, may enter as the second favourites, but they will be eager to avenge defeat the last time around and want silverware in their hands come March 2.
Mumbai vs Vidarbha: Semifinal 2 squads
Vidarbha: Atharva Taide, Dhruv Shorey, Danish Malewar, Karun Nair, Yash Rathod, Akshay Wadkar (c & wk), Harsh Dubey, Aditya Thakare, Nachiket Bhute, Yash Thakur, Akshay Wakhare, Akshay Karnewar, Umesh Yadav, Siddhesh Wath, Parth Rekhade, Shubham Kapse, Aman Mokhade, Mandar Mahale, Yash Kadam, Praful Hinge
Mumbai: Ayush Mhatre, Akash Anand (wk), Siddhesh Lad, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Shams Mulani, Shardul Thakur, Tanush Kotian, Mohit Avasthi, Royston Dias, Karsh Kothari, Amogh Bhatkal, Suryansh Shedge, Sylvester DSouza, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Hardik Tamore, Shreyas Gurav
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Kerala eyes Ranji Trophy history
The Gujarat vs. Kerala semifinal could be the more fascinating one. Gujarat has one title under their belt, but they have reached the final two just twice. As for Kerala, it could be the biggest moment in their history. This is just the second time, after the 2018-19 season, for the Sachin Baby-led side to reach the semifinal.
Like Mumbai, Kerala is injury-stricken. Sanju Samson, their wicketkeeper batter and captain, has injured his right-hand index finger and is ruled out. Although Samson doesn’t have the same pedigree in red-ball cricket as he does in limited-overs, he’s still one to look out for.
Gujarat will be going in as the favourites, but Kerala can’t be taken lightly. They have won just three of their eight matches but, importantly, haven’t lost one match. Their semifinal berth was booked due to a 1-run lead in the quarterfinal against Jammu and Kashmir. But that’s past now. Gujarat is stronger on paper, but what happens on the ground is what matters.
Gujarat vs Kerala: Semifinal 1 squads
Gujarat: Priyank Panchal, Aarya Desai, Siddharth Desai, Manan Hingrajia, Jaymeet Patel, Urvil Patel (wk), Chintan Gaja (c), Vishal Jayswal, Ravi Bishnoi, Arzan Nagwaswalla, Priyajitsing Jadeja, Rishi Patel, Aditya Udaykumar Patel, Rinkesh Vaghela, Umang Kumar, Tejas Patel, Hemang Patel, Het Patel, Kshitij Patel
Kerala: Akshay Chandran, Rohan Kunnummal, Shoun Roger, Sachin Baby (c), Jalaj Saxena, Salman Nizar, Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), Aditya Sarwate, MD Nidheesh, Nedumankuzhy Basil, Basil Thampi, Vaisakh Chandran, Baba Aparajith, Vishnu Vinod, KM Asif, Fazil Fanoos, Vathsal Govind, Krishna Prasad, Anand Krishnan
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