From 18/5, Gaikwad, Saxena steer Maharashtra to 179/7 in Ranji Trophy opener against Kerala

With expectations riding high after a maiden final appearance in the last Ranji Trophy campaign, Kerala did not disappoint in their season opener against Maharashtra at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.

Kerala, under a new leader in Mohammed Azharuddeen, made a powerful start, reducing the visitors to 0/3, then 5/4 and 18/5 inside 11 overs. Pacers M D Nidheesh and N P Basil spit fire, removing the Maharashtra top-three of Prithvi Shaw, Arshin Kulkarni and Sidheesh Veer for ducks.

Maharashtra managed to recover and close the day's play at 179/7 in 59 overs, with bad light forcing early stumps. Ruturaj Gaikwad's composed 91 off 151 was the highlight of Maharashtra's recovery. Gaikwad, who captains Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, forged a 122-run stand with the experienced Jalaj Saxena.

For 38-year-old Saxena, returning to Kerala was a homecoming as he had been part of the state team for nearly a decade as their most reliable guest player. Saxena so nearly made his 35th first-class fifty, but was trapped leg before by pacer M D Nidheesh (4/42), the pick of the Kerala bowlers. Gaikwad (91) took the innings a tad forward but was removed by young pacer Eden Apple Tom.

Earlier, after opting to field, Nidheesh removed Shaw. For the 25-year-old star batter, who hasn't played for India since 2021, this was a fresh start in the Ranji since his exit from Mumbai. But Nidheesh trapped him leg before in the fourth ball, then dismissed Veer for a golden duck, with Azharuddeen completing the catch.

N P Basil attacked from the other end, dismissing Arshin Kulkarni as Rohan Kunnummal took a sharp catch. Maharashtra skipper Ankit Bawne became Basil’s next victim, failing to open his account after facing seven deliveries. S S Nawale and Ruturaj Gaikwad tried to steady the innings, but Nidheesh struck again, trapping Nawale leg before wicket to end the wicketkeeper’s stay for 12 runs.