Skipper sachin baby

Narendra Modi Stadium: A resilient unbeaten half-century from Kerala captain Sachin Baby (69* off 193 balls) ensured his side ended a tense opening day at 206/4 against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy semifinal at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Monday.

Kerala, opting to bat first on a sluggish black-soil surface, began solidly as openers Akshay Chandran and Rohan Kunnummal navigated the early overs without much discomfort. With minimal movement for the pacers, both batters settled in, picking off the occasional loose delivery to keep the scoreboard ticking.

There was an early moment of drama when Gujarat captain Chintan Gaja rapped Kunnummal on the pads, prompting a strong lbw appeal. However, ball tracking suggested the delivery would have drifted down the leg, allowing the batter to continue. Kerala openers built a steady 50-run stand, showcasing determination, though there were nervous moments while running between the wickets.