3 months ago
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The Goan batting portion crumbled nether unit connected the last time arsenic Kerala romped to a nine-wicket triumph successful their Ranji Trophy 2025-26 group-stage lucifer astatine the Goa Cricket Association Ground present connected Sunday.
Pacer Nidheesh M.D.’s five-wicket haul was the cornerstone of Kerala’s incisive bowling show arsenic it bundled retired Goa for conscionable 199 successful the 2nd innings. The 34-year-old bowled with a menacing strength passim the time to assertion his ninth First-Class five-for.
Goa managed to debar an innings decision lone acknowledgment to a resolute 50 from Darshan Misal and the 60-run basal helium enactment up with Arjun Tendulkar for the ninth wicket.
Kerala polished disconnected the 29-run people wrong six overs arsenic it coiled up its disappointing home play connected a winning note.
Goa's Kashyap Bakhale is bowled by Kerala’s Nidheesh connected day-4 of their Ranji Trophy lucifer astatine the Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground, successful Alto Porvorim, Goa connected Sunday, February 1, 2026. | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
Kerala’s way to triumph was charted by a four-wicket burst by Nidheesh and Basil N.P. aboriginal successful the day. The new-ball duo bowled afloat and consecutive with a hint of seam question to dismantle the Goan apical bid successful a 45-minute window.
Opener Suyash Prabhudesaai was the archetypal to depart arsenic helium was strangled down the limb broadside by Nidheesh disconnected the archetypal shot of the day. Kashyap Bakhale soon followed his opening partner, aft Nidheesh nipped 1 successful to castle him.
Goan skipper Snehal Kauthankar, too, was bowled, aft an ill-advised permission against an inswinger from Basil. No. 3 batter Abhinav Tejrana looked dependable retired successful the mediate until helium tucked a magnitude shot from Nidheesh consecutive into the hands of Imran astatine abbreviated leg.
Goa's skipper Snehal Kauthankar is bowled by Kerala bowler Basil connected day-4 of their Ranji Trophy lucifer astatine the Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground, successful Alto Porvorim, Goa connected Sunday, February 1, 2026. | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
The Goan middle-order resisted briefly, but was dislodged by Kerala spinners Ankit Sharma and Imran, who claimed 3 speedy wickets earlier Lunch.
The counterpunch from Misal and Tendulkar failed to interruption Kerala’s dominance arsenic a returning Nidheesh wiped disconnected the Goan process to seal his five-for and the win.
The scores: Goa — 1st innings: 355.
Kerala — 1st innings: 526 decl.
Goa — 2nd innings: Suyash Prabhudessai c Krishna b Nidheesh 14, Kashyap Bakhale b Nidheesh 15, Abhinav Tejrana c Imran b Nidheesh 17, Snehal Kauthankar b Basil 0, Lalit Yadav st Krishna b Ankit 27, Amulya Pandrekar c Baby b Ankit 32, Yash Kasvankar b Imran 6, Darshan Misal c Abhishek b Nidheesh 55, Samar Dubhashi c Salman b Nidheesh 6, Arjun Tendulkar c Baby b Ankit 24, V. Koushik (not out) 0; Extras (nb-2, w-1): 3; Total (in 53.3 overs): 199.
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 1-41, 3-42, 4-46, 5-90, 6-103, 7-116, 8-129, 9-189.
Kerala’s Sachin Baby snaps up the drawback of Goa's Amulya Pandrekar connected day-4 of their Group B Ranji Trophy lucifer astatine the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) Academy Ground, successful Alto Porvorim, Goa connected Sunday, February 1, 2026. | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
Kerala bowling: Ankit 18-2-56-3, Sreehari 7-1-34-0, Nidheesh 13.3-2-47-5, Basil 7-0-37-1, Imran 6-1-21-1, Baby 1-1-0-0, Vinod 1-0-4-0.
Kerala — 2nd innings: Abhishek Nair (not out) 19, Sachin Baby c Dubhashi b Koushik 1, Salman Nizar (not out) 9; Total (for 1 wkt. successful 5.5 overs): 29.
Fall of wicket: 1-7.
Goa bowling: Koushik 3-1-3-1, Pandrekar 2.5-0-26-0.
Kerala won by 9 wickets.
