A Dream Brought to Nagpur
Thirty young cricket enthusiasts, representing the Kerala state under-14s and under-16s, were flown into Nagpur by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) to witness and support their senior team’s historic bid for the Ranji Trophy. These young kids, brimming with hope and excitement, came to cheer for their heroes, who had made it to the final for the very first time. Though the ultimate prize eluded them, the young spectators didn’t leave empty-handed. They snapped pictures with a replica of the Ranji Trophy, a memento that perhaps fuels their own dreams of one day lifting the real trophy.
Heartbreak in the Final Stages
The Kerala team, while devastated by their loss in the final, recognized the unwavering support of these young fans. Even as Sachin Baby, the captain, grappled with the disappointment, he took a moment to pose for pictures with the children. Baby brought some much-needed comic relief during the presentation, saying to the Vidarbha team, "You guys have beaten us in all three knockout stages. Next time, guys, we’ll beat you. We’ll give you a tougher time." It was a light-hearted jest, but one that belied the deep sense of loss he and his team felt. Kerala had been trying to break through the knockout stages for years, but this season, they came agonizingly close only to fall short in the final.
A Season of Narrow Escapes
Baby’s reflections on the season underscored the bittersweet nature of their journey. Kerala had scraped through the quarter-finals and semi-finals with incredibly slim leads of just one and two runs, respectively. This resilience and determination had brought them to the final, but it seemed as though they had exhausted their luck in the earlier stages. "As the leader, I’ll take the blame," Baby said at the post-match press conference, acknowledging the role his own actions played in the team’s downfall.
The Temptation and the Mistake
The final day of the match saw Kerala on the verge of securing a crucial lead. Baby, leading the charge, was just two runs away from a significant personal milestone—his century in the 100th first-class game. However, the temptation proved too great, and he fell to a slog that was dragged to Karun Nair at deep midwicket. "Brain fade," he admitted, describing the inexplicable shot. The moment was critical, and the cost was high. "I was playing all along the ground till that moment, but then I don’t know what happened and why I played that shot. But that and the dropped catch of Karun [Nair] were important moments of the game," he added.
A Leader’s Accountability
At 36, Baby is the oldest member of the team, and he prefers not to be called a ‘veteran.’ Despite his advanced age, he feels fitter than ever and is determined to continue playing. Nevertheless, he took full responsibility for the team’s failure. "If I take credit for the success, I will take the blame for failure, too. Nobody plays a shot to get out. That shot was not on my mind, actually. Maybe, it was a brain fade moment. But on this wicket, you had to play shots. If I had played too defensively, there would have been pressure on the team and myself," he explained. His wisdom and leadership were evident in his willingness to shoulder the blame and maintain a positive outlook.
Looking Forward to the Next Challenge
Despite the heartbreak, Baby remains focused on the future. He emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, using Vidarbha’s example as motivation. "We have to improve still. I was telling the team about how Vidarbha came back from the defeat in last year’s final to win the trophy this year. We need to learn from their resilience and determination," he said. Baby’s words were a testament to his leadership and the team’s spirit. While the Ranji Trophy may have slipped through their fingers this time, the experience and lessons learned will surely propel Kerala cricket to greater heights in the future.
