Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Nagwaswalla, Chintan put Gujarat firmly in command against Kerala
Arzan Nagwaswalla and Chintan Gaja triggered a Kerala collapse with the second new ball at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Gujarat pacers Arzan Nagwaswalla and Chintan Gaja took seven wickets between them as Kerala fell from 277 for six to 279 all out in the Elite Group C Ranji Trophy match on 4 November 2026.
Key takeaways
- Arzan Nagwaswalla took four for 59 and Chintan Gaja three for 65 for Gujarat.
- Kerala collapsed from 277 for six to 279 all out soon after tea.
- The match took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
- Kerala were following on, with Abhishek P. Nair batting 10 and Sachin Baby batting 42 before stumps.
- The Ranji Trophy is India's annual domestic first-class cricket championship organised by the BCCI.
Pacers Arzan Nagwaswalla and Chintan Gaja put Gujarat firmly in command of their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 Elite Group C match against Kerala at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
Nagwaswalla took four for 59 and Gaja three for 65 as Kerala collapsed from 277 for six to 279 all out soon after tea.
The two pacers picked up two wickets each with the second new ball to trigger a lower order batting collapse in Kerala’s first innings. Gujarat’s bowlers remained disciplined and patient throughout the day, providing breakthroughs just when Kerala partnerships began to look threatening.
Kerala’s batters frittered away solid starts, with none staying long enough to play a defining innings. Sachin Baby and Vishnu Vinod played fluently to take the total to 120 before Baby was trapped in front playing back to a delivery from Siddharth Desai.
Vishnu Vinod made 66 but became debutant Amit Desai’s first wicket when he was pinned in front by a ball that turned square out of the rough, leaving Kerala reeling at 154 for five.
Aditya Saravate joined Mohammed Azharuddeen and the duo added 95 runs for the sixth wicket in contrasting styles. Saravate made 58 while Azharuddeen played a restrained knock, eschewing his usual aggression.
After Saravate top-edged a sweep to Vedant Trivedi at silly mid-on, Azharuddeen changed gears to reach his fifty. Gujarat took the second new ball soon after tea and it brought a swift end to Kerala’s first innings. Kerala’s first innings scorecard read: Abhishek P.
Nair 10, Rohan S. D. P. 2 overs. 2-4-59-4, Amit Desai 13-1-42-1, Siddharth Desai 24-8-67-2. Kerala were made to follow on and lost Rohan Kunnummal cheaply, but Abhishek P. Nair and Sachin Baby resisted the Gujarat attack to prevent any further damage before stumps.
About the Ranji Trophy
The Ranji Trophy is an annual domestic first-class cricket championship played in India and organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, with teams representing the various member associations of the BCCI taking part.
The 2026-27 Ranji Trophy is the 92nd season of the tournament, the premier first-class cricket competition in India, and is scheduled to take place from 11 October 2026 to 3 March 2027 as part of the 2026-27 Indian Domestic Cricket Season announced by the BCCI in June 2026.
Jammu and Kashmir are the defending champions. Gujarat’s match against Kerala is being played in Elite Group C. Abhishek P. Nair and Sachin Baby were at the crease when stumps were drawn on day three.
Kerala first innings scorecard and Gujarat bowling figures
Player | Dismissal | Runs |
|---|---|---|
Abhishek P. Nair | c Urvil b Nagwaswalla | 10 |
Rohan S. Kunnummal | c (sub) b Nagwaswalla | 11 |
Varun Nayanar | c Hingrajia b Gaja | 17 |
Sachin Baby | lbw b Siddharth | 42 |
Vishu Vinod | lbw b Amit | 66 |
Mohammed Azharuddeen | c Amit b Gaja | 57 |
Aditya Sarvate | c Trivedi b Siddharth | 58 |
Jalaj Saxena | b Gaja | 10 |
Vaisakh Chandran | b Nagwaswalla | 1 |
M.D. Nidheesh | not out | 0 |
N.P. Basil | lbw b Nagwaswalla | 1 |
Arzan Nagwaswalla | bowling figures | 17.2-4-59-4 |
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