A Tale of Two Careers
In the thrilling Ranji Trophy final between Vidarbha and Kerala, the spotlight fell on two players at remarkably different stages of their careers: Danish Malewar and Karun Nair. At just 21, Malewar, a prodigious run-getter in the age-group circuit, is embarking on his debut season with a remarkable flair. On the other hand, Nair, a seasoned veteran at 33, has clawed his way back from a form slump that lasted several years. Nair, who has won the Ranji Trophy twice with Karnataka, is now finding a new lease on life, one that could potentially culminate in an unlikely Test call-up eight years after his last appearance in the international arena. The two batsmen’s contrasting journeys came together in a formidable partnership that turned the opening day’s tide in Vidarbha’s favor.
An Unlikely Comeback
On Wednesday, the VCA Stadium in Nagpur witnessed a dramatic fightback by Vidarbha. Starting from a precarious position at 24 for 3 in the first hour, Malewar and Nair added 215 runs for the fourth wicket, leaving Kerala’s bowling attack in disarray. The recovery was not just a testament to their resilience but also a slow, methodical dismantling of Kerala’s strategy. Vidarbha scored 254 for 4 at stumps, with Malewar unbeaten on 138 and Yash Thakur holding steady as a nightwatchman on 5. The surface, which flattened out as the day progressed, played into the hands of Vidarbha, much like it did for Kerala when they faced Gujarat in the semi-final.
Thwarting the Spin Threat
One of Kerala’s primary weapons in this final was their spin duo, Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate. However, Malewar and Nair superbly negated this threat. The spin twins combined for 0 for 92 off 26 overs, with Saxena, who induced a rare outside edge from Malewar when he was on 110, being the only bowler to create a genuine wicket-taking opportunity. The edge, resulting from a delivery that didn’t turn as expected, flew past a vacant slip, which had been removed just before the over. This moment highlighted the lack of pressure the duo faced from Kerala’s spinners.
Tactical Decisions and Early Setbacks
Vidarbha’s strategic decisions early in the innings could have been a point of contention if they had faltered. They promoted Parth Rekhade, a lower-order batter, to open in place of Atharva Taide, who was left out. Rekhade’s dismissal, courtesy an lbw decision that Kerala successfully overturned through DRS, and the subsequent loss of Darshan Nalkande, a seam-bowling all-rounder, left Vidarbha’s top order in disarray. Nalkande’s mistimed pull to deep square leg, resulting in Nidheesh’s second wicket, further compounded their early woes. However, Malewar and Nair’s partnership not only salvaged the innings but also silenced any critics of these unconventional moves.
The Masterclass Unfolds
Malewar and Nair joined forces during a crisis and embarked on a rebuilding mission. Malewar’s patience was evident as he left deliveries well outside off stump, forcing the bowlers to attack the stumps. When the bowlers went full, Malewar showcased his wristy prowess, often dispatching length balls through midwicket and mid-on. His back-foot play was equally impressive, tucking deliveries with precision and flair. Malewar’s half-century was punctuated by a majestic shot over long-on, a clear indication of his comfort and confidence. Nair, the more experienced partner, was the industrious one, sweeping spinners off their lengths and occasionally reverse sweeping Sarwate to keep the bowlers on their toes. His driving through the covers was a sight to behold, particularly against the young Apple Tom, who was in his third game at the age of 19.
Reaching Milestones and a Late Setback
Both batsmen showed no signs of nerves as they approached significant milestones. Malewar’s century arrived with a boundary through midwicket after he reached 99 with a six over long-on. His wrist work and composure were on full display, ensuring that he remained the mainstay of the innings. Nair, meanwhile, brought up his half-century off 125 balls and capitalized on the increasingly tired Kerala bowling in the final session, pushing towards what would have been his fourth century of the season and 23rd overall in domestic cricket. However, the day’s late twist saw Nair run out for 86 after Malewar, attempting to steal a bye, sent him back. The run-out was a mix of Rohan Kunnummal’s quick thinking and accurate throw from the slips. Nair’s disappointment was palpable as he flung his bat in frustration while walking back, but the Vidarbha dressing room stood up to applaud his rescue mission. Despite the setback, the foundation laid by Malewar and Nair positioned Vidarbha well for the remainder of the match.
