Ranji live blog: Dubey five-for leads Vidarbha to fourth final

Shardul Thakur’s fighting half-century isn't enough for another Mumbai rearguard as the defending champions lose to Vidarbha, last year’s finalists, in an absorbing contest that has gone into the final session of the final day in Nagpur.

Leading Vidarbha’s run to their fourth Ranji final - they’ve won two of three - against Kerala is left-arm spin allrounder Harsh Dubey, who picked up his seventh five-wicket haul of the season to take his wickets tally to 66. He’s now just two short of Bihar left-arm spinner Ashutosh Aman’s record for most wickets in a Ranji season.

An unbroken 44-run stand for the 10th wicket between Royston Dias and Mohit Awasthi means the semi-final will be decided now in the final session of the final day. These runs have come off just 8.2 overs. Can't help but think how much Mumbai would've fancied their chances of winning had Shardul still been out there.

A sharp in-ducker from Yash Thakur hustles Shardul for pace as he's caught on the hop. The ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad to flatten the stumps. Shardul's gone for 66. He finishes the season with 505 runs and 35 wickets - an incredible performance to force his way back into the national reckoning. He'll have an opportunity to build on this incredible season when he plays in the county championships in April, an opportunity that has come about because he hasn't been picked in the IPL.

There's no inherent danger of them losing just yet, but perhaps it merits to be a bit more cautious rather than playing their shots. They're 81/4 in the second innings. Sachin Baby is the latest to be dismissed.

Excellent work from Danish Melwar, who effects a direct hit from square leg at the striker's end. Mulani, who was responding to a tight call for a single from Shardul, is inches short of the crease. Mumbai 238 for 7, still need 169.

The seventh-wicket pair have added 85 as Vidarbha have been frustrated in their push for an outright victory. Shardul is unbeaten on 45, Mulani is on 39. Mumbai 208 for 6 needing another 198 for victory.

They're six down and it includes the big, big strike of India's T20I captain.

Gujarat were trailing by two runs.

Aditya Sarwate tossed one up on the stumps. Arzan Nagwaswalla looked to hoick it into the leg side, but gets a thick inside edge that lobs off the helmet of Salman Nizar at short leg, and Sachin Baby takes the dolly of a deflection at slip.

Ecstatic scenes in the Kerala camp! Nagwaswalla is crest-fallen.

Another potentially big moment!

Nagwaswalla goes right back into the crease and whips this shortish delivery into the leg side. Salman Nizar at short leg rises with the bounce and looks to grab the hard hit, which briefly lodges between his legs but doesn't stick.

Excellent reflexes, but got to say that was a really tough chance.

Then the team with most points in the group stages qualifies. And in this case, it'll be Gujarat, who finished on 32 points to Kerala's 28.

Siddharth Desai is given out on-field for a catch to silly point.

He opts to review, because he thinks there was no bat. Replays confirm there was no bat before it hit the pad, and that the spike was when the ball hit the turf.

DRS protocol is to then check for lbw as well, even if the appeal was for something else. And in the process, it emerges the ball pitched in line and would've hit leg.

Kerala are ecstatic. Aditya Sarwate has picked up two massive wickets. They need just one wicket for a place in the Ranji final. Gujarat trail by 11.

Stands tall and punches Akshay Chandran through the covers for four.

Two balls after putting him down, Sachin Baby springs back to life, as does the entire Kerala camp as Jaymeet Patel is out stumped. Excellent work that by Mohammad Azharuddeen behind the stumps.

Aditya Sarwate bowls one across the left-hander from around the stumps to beat the outside edge as it goes straight on with the arm. Jaymeet is beaten as he plays inside the line and his back foot is on the line when Azhar affects the stumping.

The third umpire took multiple replays to conclude the foot was on the line. The wait was agonising for both sides, but in the end, the correct decision was made.

Oh, dear.

Jaymeet Patel steps out to drive Aditya Sarwate inside out but ends up chipping a sitter that Sachin Baby drops at extra cover.

Does that chance end Kerala's hopes? Gujarat need 23, and have three wickets in hand.

Yash Thakur has bowled an absolute pearler to flatten Shivam Dube's middle stump early on the final day to leave Mumbai in tatters at 84 for 4 chasing 406. It nips back in late from around the wicket, Dube plays outside the line and across the line as the ball sneaks through the gap to flick the pad onto the stumps. Akash Anand is joined by Suryakumar Yadav in the middle.

Jalaj Saxena bowled 36 overs yesterday for his four wickets. He bowled unchanged right through the first session yesterday. And it's likely he'll keep bowling from one end today. The ploy against left-hander Jaymeet Patel is fairly simple: use the drift from around the stumps to bring lbw into the picture. There hasn't been a lot of turn on offer just yet, but at times with that angle, the one that doesn't turn could equally be potent.

Much of our early focus today will be on the Gujarat-Kerala game where the fight for the first-innings lead is fascinatingly poised. Don't let the scorecard influence you into believing this has been a dour game. Yes, run-accumulation has been painfully slow at different times, but this has been an engaging slow-burn with twists and turns. Now, it all boils down to this: Gujarat need 28, Kerala need three wickets.

Mumbai lose Rahane late in the day as they go into stumps 83/3, needing a further 323. All three wickets to left-arm spin.

In Ahmedabad, Gujarat need 29, Kerala need 3 wickets. It's going down to the wire.

Harsh Dubey, the season's highest wicket-taker, has dealt massive blows on Mumbai with the twin strikes of Ayush Mhatre and Siddesh Lad. But from 37 for 2, Ajinkya Rahane and Akash Anand have lent normalcy to proceedings as Mumbai fight at 63/2. The target is a long, long way off - still 343 away to be precise. Remains to be seen if Suryakumar Yadav is fully fit to bat. He spent the entire day off the field, when Mumbai were bowling.

At 357 for 7, a place in the final seemed a long, long way off for Gujarat. But the eight-wicket pair of Jaymeet Patel and Siddarth Desai have now added 60 in 29.1 overs to frustrate Kerala's push for that decisive lead. Gujarat are 417/7, trailing by just 39. Jalaj Saxena has bowled a marathon 58 overs for figures of 4 for 135. He's tiring but continuing to wheel away. Proper character shown by everyone. What a fascinating contest this has been.

Mumbai will have to achieve the highest successful run chase in Ranji history if they are to defend their title.

Yash Rathod raises his 150 as well. This is now his highest first-class score. Vidarbha still have one wicket in hand.

In Ahmedabad, it appears as if the fight for the first innings lead, which could well define the game is headed for a thrilling finish. Gujarat have three wickets in hand, they still trail by 91. Their hopes are hinged on Jaymeet Patel who is unbeaten on 39.

Vidarbha lead by 362; three wickets standing.

Darshan Nalkande stabs at a Shams Mulani delivery with hard hands and is caught at silly point. Vidarbha are currently 236/7, lead by 349. Yash Rathod battles on.

Kerala have also struck with Jalaj Saxena picking up his fourth wicket of the day, dismissing Chintan Gaja lbw with one that drifts in and straightens. It could've been two in two for him had the silly point fielder taken the lob to dismiss Vishal Jayswal. But because everyone around the bat was convinced it was lbw, they all went up in a vociferous appeal.

Replay confirms a small spike on the glove, so it can't be lbw. And because no one bothered taking the catch in wanting to go for the lbw appeal, Kerala won't get the wicket. Gujarat 327/6, trail Kerala by 130.

Gujarat need 132 for a lead, Kerala are into the lower order, needing five more wickets.

Mumbai were defied for a better part of that session by Yash Rathod and Akshay Wadkar, but two quick wickets minutes before the interval has kept them alive and given them a small opening again. Vidarbha are 227/6, with a lead of 340.

Wadkar was the first to fall for a 202-ball 52 when he was bowled by Shams Mulani as the ball drifted in and spun away sharply to beat his forward prod to crash into the stumps. Then Harsh Dubey fell to Tanush Kotian, an lbw decision Mumbai overturned through DRS. Yash Rathod is still unbeaten on 110 and will be key to their quest to take the lead past 400.

Earlier today, Ravi Bishnoi is believed to have complained of delayed concussion that has ruled him out of any further play in the ongoing Ranji Trophy quarter-final. Bishnoi was hit on the forehead by the ball yesterday as he put in a full-length dive at point to stop it. He got his hand to the ball but scooped it up onto his face as he slid looked to recover from the slide.

Gujarat have been approved Hemang Patel, the bowling allrounder, as a concussion substitute. What Hemang is doing now is simply looking to play some shots and whittle down the deficit. From the little we've seen so far, he can bat. He has a highest of 41 in five first-class games before this. He could well surpass that here.

He's currently on 20 off 24 balls as Gujarat 308/4, trailing Kerala by 149.

He has picked up all three wickets to fall today. This includes the strikes of Priyank Panchal (148) and Urvil Patel as Gujarat's push for a first-innings lead receives a massive jolt. Gujarat 299/4, trail by 158

Jalaj Saxena has delivered a massive breakthrough for Kerala in the first half hour. Manan Hingrajia is lbw as Kerala overturn the not-out decision through DRS. A 107-run stand has been broken as Gujarat 238/2.

Jalaj got the ball to drift in and skid through from around the stumps. Hingrajia is struck on the pad, but the bat was also very close to it, and needed confirming from the third umpire if it was pad and bat. Replays confirm as much and Kerala are absolutely ecstatic

Yash Rathod and Akshay Wadkar have added 95 for the fifth wicket to lift Vidarbha from 56/4. The overall lead stands at 265. Needless to say, the first session is massively crucial for Mumbai. But if these two can blunt the bowling and grind the bowling down further, Mumbai's patience and resolve will be tested big time.If there is going to be any help for the bowlers, especially the seamers, it'll be in the first session.

The umpires have had a polite word with Wadkar to not run on the danger area. Shardul Thakur has pointed out to the umpires a couple of times that he thinks Wadkar is running on it. The issue has partly stemmed from Wadkar batting well outside his crease and taking the first couple of steps out while running.

An unbroken 91-run stand for the fifth wicket between Yash Rathod and Akshay Wadkar has helped Vidarbha overcome a top-order collapse in the second innings, as they end Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Mumbai on 147 for 4, which effectively is a lead of 260. It could've been far worse at 56/4, but Rathod has cashed in on his good form, while Wadkar has stayed true to his character of grinding down a tiring Mumbai attack that knows they probably have one more session tomorrow morning to try and make a match of this.

Meanwhile in Nagpur...

During Gujarat's run to their previous Ranji final in 2016-17, Priyank Panchal was a breakout star after having been in the circuit for over eight years. He scored 1310 runs that season, falling just short of VVS Laxman's then record for most runs in a Ranji season. It catapulted him into national contention. Over the next few years, he was first an India A regular before becoming captain. Then he was also part of the Test squad as a reserve in the covid years.

Things are vastly different now. At 34, Panchal has possibly been reduced to a one-format player for Gujarat, with the team having moved on from him in the shorter formats. This has meant a bigger gap during the season. In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, he has had just one century (v Rajasthan) and a half-century (v Vidarbha) coming into this game. With less than 300 runs across seven games, it was proving to be a very ordinary run.

But with the team needing him to step up, Panchal has risen to the occasion. He has batted with purpose, has put the bad balls away and has focused on keeping the scoreboard moving instead of simply biding time. He's unbeaten on 85 as Gujarat are chugging along nicely at 165 for 1, trailing Kerala by 292.

It's Tanush Kotian's turn to get into the game. He sends back the Dhruv Shorey for in his very first over. Vidarbha 56/4, ahead by 170. Akshay Wadkar walks out to join Yash Rathod. The pressure is squarely on the home team despite the massive cushion they had. Mumbai's spinners have so far negated the effects of that lead as Mulani is making the ball talk at the other end. Absorbing cricket in store.

Aarya Desai, who had looked extremely solid and punchy in his 117-ball vigil for his 73, pays the price for his first mistake. Attempts to drive a wide delivery from N Basil, wasn't quite to the pitch, and ends up dragging it back onto the stumps. Gujarat 131/1 in response to Kerala's 457. Manan Hingrajia joins Priyank Panchal.

Vidarbha are in choppy waters at 54/3 in the second innings as Shams Mulani picks up his second wicket. And it's a massive strike, of the in-form Karun Nair who has been trapped lbw. Vidarbha are effectively 167 for 3 as the in-form Yash Rathod joins Dhruv Shorey. Mumbai well and truly in the game.

Danish Malewar, who top scored with 79 in the first innings, is well taken by Shams Mulani off his own bowling. Malewar was looking to work it against the turn but the ball dipped on him ever-so-slightly. Even so, it was hit back hard but Mulani did well to hold on. Vidarbha 40/2, lead by 153, as Karun Nair joins Dhruv Shorey.

Drooping shoulders because the lead has been conceded? Not a chance. Shardul Thakur has struck second ball to remove Atharva Taide, Vidarbha 0/1. Effectively 113/1 as they take lunch.

Harsh Dubey picks up the final wicket Mohit Awasthi as Mumbai have been bowled out for 270 at the stroke of lunch.

In Ahmedabad, Aarya Desai and Priyank Panchal have put on a brisk half-century stand as Gujarat start well in reply to Kerala's 457.

And just as I was praising Akash Anand's gumption for a fight and grind the bowlers, he's out caught behind chasing a wide delivery. Mumbai are now 261/9, with seamer Nachiket Bhute picking up his first wicket. Mumbai still trail Vidarbha by 122 runs

He's carried his bat almost through the innings, bringing up his hundred courtesy a paddle to the fine leg boundary. He gets there off 247 balls. It hasn't been the most flamboyant innings but the need of the hour was to wear the bowlers down and he's done exactly that. Mohit Awasthi has done well to hang in there as Mumbai look to bring the lead inside three figures.

Parth Rekhade, the left-arm spinner, helps Vidarbha breathe a huge sigh of relief. And he sends back Tanush Kotian with a beauty to break an eighth-wicket stand of 69. Kotian stabs down the wrong line as the ball drifts in from around the stumps, goes straight on and beats the inside edge to crash into the stumps.

When Shardul Thakur fell at the fag end of Day 2, it seemed as if it was only a matter of time before Mumbai fold. But the defending champions have done well to keep fighting; the eighth-wicket stand between Akash Anand and Tanush Kotian is now worth 39. Mumbai 217/7, trail by 176.

Anand is on 80, and nearing a second first-class hundred in only his fourth match. His maiden century came last month against Meghalaya in Mumbai's final league fixture.

In Ahmedabad, Azharuddeen is trying to charge towards a double century as Kerala are looking to press on the accelerator after a slowburn of an approach for the first two days. Azhar's on 172 as Kerala 451/8

He wore many hats. Player, captain, coach, selector, administrator.

He was an excellent talent scout, and breathed Mumbai cricket.

In Ahmedabad, Kerala have lost Akshay Wakhare for 11, adding just 1 to his overnight score. Their hopes of getting close to 500 hinge on Mohammed Azharuddeen, who is currently unbeaten on 159. He has fast bowler MD Nidheesh for company. Kerala 433/8

In the very first over, Tanush Kotian survives a big nick as he looks to flay Yash Thakur.

It flew to keeper Akshay Wadkar, who got into an awkward position in trying to move swiftly to his right. It looked like he covered more ground than he needed to, as a result, the ball hit the palm area of his gloves and bobbled out. Kotian was on 6.

They end on 188 for 7, trailing by 195 with only Akash Anand left among the recognised batters. Can Tanush Kotian help whittle down the deficit tomorrow?

Kerala end on 418 for 7, with Mohammed Azharuddeen batting on 149. Their go-slow approach has them wanting to pile on the runs and bat just once in the game on a surface that hasn't deteriorated as much as they would've hopes for. Which means they'll still have their task cut out with the ball

As he has often done, Shardul Thakur has led a fierce Mumbai fightback as he has put on a half-century stand with wicketkeeper Akash Anand, who has battled his way to make a half-century from the top of the order. Shardul has played has attacked the bowlers from get-go, picking up runs at every available opportunity. But just as Vidarbha were beginning to go on the defensive, Shardul has perished to one shot too many as he pulls Yash Thakur to deep square for 37 off 41.

Six members in all. Here's the list, courtesy our stats wiz Namooh Shah

Bishan Bedi - 64 wickets (Delhi, 1974-75)
Dodda Ganesh - 62 wickets (Karnataka, 1998-99)
Kanwaljit Singh - 62 wickets (Hyderabad, 1999-00)
Ashutosh Aman - 68 wickets (Bihar, 2018-19)
Jaydev Unadkat - 67 wickets (Saurashtra, 2019-20)
Harsh Dubey - 60* wickets (Vidarbha, 2024-25)

Goes driving, Karun Nair at cover just about gets to the ball diving forward but can't hold on to it. Would've been the seventh wicket down. Harsh Dubey has his arms up in the air. Tough chance but goes down as a chance.

After losing three in an over, Harsh Dubey has managed to overturn an lbw decision through DRS as Shams Mulani is gone.

The only point of consideration was if it was bat-pad or pad-bat. And once it was pad-bat as replays confirmed, there was no question of whether the ball was hitting. Replays confirm three reds.

Credit to Akshay Wadkar, the captain, who called for a review almost immediately.

The game has cracked open and how.

Left-arm spinner Parth Rekhade, who is playing in only his second game, removes Ajinkya Rahane, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube in the space of three deliveries.

First, Rahane was out bowled. Then Surya prodded forward to one that skidded through and got the inside edge onto the pad before the silly point fielder Danish Malewar grabbed it on the second attempt.

And finally, Dube is out playing at one that drifts across as the edge is pouched superbly at slip by Atharva Taide.

Gets hit for two fours in three deliveries by Ajinkya Rahane. Then bowls a nip-backer that zips past Rahane's defence to be given out lbw.

Thakur was so sure that he hardly even turned back to appeal and ran the entire length of the pitch before belatedly looking back at the umpire, and then fist-pumping.

Sadly, he has overstepped. Ball tracking confirmed all three reds, which means Rahane would've been walking back had Thakur bowled a legal delivery.

What a massive moment. Mumbai 108/2 Rahane gets a massive slice of luck on 13. Who said the number is unlucky?

After nearly 63 overs of defiance, Kerala have lost Salman Nizar for 52 immediately after tea as he's lbw to a sharp-turner from left-arm spinner Vishal Jayswal. He was looking to work it with the spin into the leg side and missed it altogether. Kerala have also burnt a review in the process.

New batter and debutant Ahammed Imran crashes the first ball through the covers for four. What a way to begin his first-class career. Kerala 359/6/

In Nagpur, Yash Thakur has breathe life into the Vidarbha camp by dismissing a set Siddesh Lad in the final over before tea. Lad plays inside the line of a length ball that angles in and holds its line to beat his outside edge and crash into the stumps. Mumbai are 83/2 in response to Vidarbha's 383.

In Ahmedabad, Kerala's sixth-wicket stand is worth 148 and counting as Mohammed Azharuddeen and Salman Nizar takes them to 354 for 5. They lost a wicket off the second ball this morning when Sachin Baby fell for 69, but it's been a long toil for Gujarat since.

138 overs of toil. Kerala ain't ready to try and score some quick runs as they continue to grind the bowlers down.

The sixth-wicket partnership is now worth 125. Salman Nizar is approaching a half-century. He has scores of 112*, 44* and 150 in his last three innings.

Azharuddeen is batting on 109. This pair was instrumental in battling through on the final session of the final day of the quarter-final against J&K last week. Here they are the forefront of yet another stone walling effort.

It's his first century of the season and he couldn't have chosen a better occasion. It's also helped put on a 100-run stand with Salman Nizar. Kerala 313/5.

Did you know:

Azharuddeen was named after the former India captain by the eldest of seven brothers Kamaruddeen because he was a big fan of his batting in the 1990s. Azharuddeen only found out about this in his teens when he googled the former India captain and watched videos of him destroying Lance Klusener at Kolkata and Cape Town. Four years ago, he even got to meet the former India captain in Kerala.

Today, he has been among the key drivers in Kerala's quest to enter their first-ever Ranji final.

Having lost the wicket of Sachin Baby second ball, Mohammed Azharuddeen and Salman Nizar have added an unbroken 87-run stand for the sixth wicket. Kerala are 293 for 5 at lunch as Gujarat toil.

Mumbai have lost an early wicket of Ayush Mhatre after Vidarbha post 383. That total could've been a lot more had Vidarbha not collapsed to lose 5 for 59 in the first session. Shivam Dube picked up three wickets in three overs; finishing with a five-for.

Kerala have been reprieved as Gujarat don't opt to review a close lbw shout 15 minutes before lunch.

Mohammed Azharuddeen is trapped by one that moves back in late to hit the pad by Arzan Nagwaswalla on 74. Gujarat decide against a review, but replays confirm three reds. It was pitching in line, impact was in line and would've hit leg stump.

Kerala were on 277 for 5.

Vidarbha bowled out for 383, having added 75 to their overnight 308 for 5.

Shivam Dube, who had picked up the wickets of Karun Nair and Parth Rekhade yesterday, picks up three wickets in three overs today to finish with magical figures of 5 for 49 in 11.5 overs.

This is his third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

Nachiket Bhute the latest to fall as he guides Shivam Dube to Mulani at 2nd slip. Vidarbha 364/8.

In Ahmedabad, Azharuddeen and Salman Nizar have put together an unbroken half-century stand as Kerala have recovered from the early loss of Sachin Baby. They're 264/5.

For the second time in this innings, a Vidarbha batter has been dismissed while bailing out of a shot.

Atharva Taide yesterday.
Akshay Wadkar today.

Left-arm seamer Royston Dias bowls a harmless length ball slanting across. Wadkar shuffles, initially looking to play at the ball, but decides to leave at the very last moment, and the ball kisses the bottom edge through to wicketkeeper Akash Anand.

Vidarbha 346/7

Four boundaries between overs 96-98 as they approach 350.

Shardul nearly had a second wicket when he beat Akshay Wadkar with a full delivery on 21. Given out, Wadkar reviews and ball tracking confirms this would've missed leg stump. Umpire Virender Sharma overturns his decision and the Vidarbha captain bats on. They're 326/6.

Vidarbha's highest run-getter this season, also their vice-captain, is out for 54.

He gets a leading edge back to Shardul as he tries to get on top of the bounce and work it to the leg side. Shardul has been rewarded for hitting the deck hard.

As he took the catch, Shardul applauded the batter off.

Vidarbha 324/6 as Harsh Dubey joins Akshay Wadkar.

Sachin Baby falls without adding to his overnight 69 as he falls off the second ball today to left-arm seamer Arzan Nagwaswalla. He pushed at an away-swinger with Aarya Desai taking an excellent catch at second slip.

Salman Nizar joins Mohammed Azharuddeen at the crease. Kerala 212/5

It would've been curtains for Yash Rathod even without facing a ball.

A big mix up between Rathod and Akshay Wadkar, the striker, as he worked a full delivery from Shardul Thakur to mid-on. Wadkar initially called and then froze, Rathod was halfway down the pitch when he turned back. He'd given up, all it needed was a direct hit which Shivam Dube couldn't effect. Rathod was on 47.

How costly will that prove to be?

Warm welcome, all.

Kerala's go-slow approach on Day 1 helped them stay afloat, but they need to be aware of the pitfalls of being overcautious. Sachin Baby will be the key in their quest to post 350 or more on a surface which while being slightly tacky is far from being bowler-friendly.

Mumbai have been kept at bay for large parts as a number of Vidarbha batters got off to starts, but they'd be disappointed at not being able to convert. Unlike Kerala, Vidarbha have been a bit more enterprising with the bat and have a realistic shot at 400 and beyond.

Look forward to your company as we unpack what should be an absorbing second day's play from Ahmedabad and Nagpur.

Kerala made slow progress on an attritional day in Ahmedabad, courtesy captain Sachin Baby’s unbeaten half-century, but Gujarat weren’t entirely out of the game by stumps.

Kerala’s approach may have stemmed from their first-innings collapses of late, most-recently in the quarter-final when they were reduced to 200 for 9, and then needed a last-wicket stand of 81 to take the first-innings lead that proved decisive against Jammu & Kashmir.

They end Day 1 on 206 for 4.

Half-centuries from Dhruv Shorey and Danish Malewar helped Vidarbha set themselves a firm footing from where they could hope to cross the 400-run mark in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against defending champions Mumbai at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.

Yet, they’ll rue their missed opportunities after four of the top five wasted starts to give Mumbai a small opening courtesy left-arm spinner Shams Mulani and seam-bowling allrounder Shivam Dube who picked up two wickets apiece.

Yash Rathod, Vidarbha’s highest run-getter this season, was unbeaten on 47 and Akshay Wadkar, the captain, who Mumbai will remember for his stonewalling century in the second innings of last year’s Ranji final, was 13 not out. The pair saw off the last hour of play after Vidarbha lost the wickets of the set Karun Nair and Malewar.

They were denied for large parts of the afternoon, but Mumbai have fought back superbly in the final session. They've dismissed both set batters; Karun Nair first and Danish Malewar next.

Karun was out for 45 when he nicked Dube through to Akash Anand, the wicketkeeper for 45. Malewar was done in by tun and bounce as he lunged at Mulani, only for him to feather one to the keeper again.

Mulani has wheeled away for 14 overs, for his 2 for 30. Vidarbha 262/5.

Meanwhile in Ahmedabad...

From 60/0, Kerala slipped to 86 for 3. Gujarat have since run into two of the most experienced batters in the Kerala setup as they've put together an unbroken 57-run stand to go into tea at 143 for 3. Jalaj is unbeaten on 26, Sachin Baby 42.

Siddarth Desai, Gujarat's highest wicket-taker this season, has so far bowled just five of the 61 overs.

Mumbai's quest for inroads after lunch has met the resoluteness of Danish Malewar and the industry of Karun Nair. The pair have added 50 runs for the fourth wicket as Vidarbha have build on the strong foundation laid by Dhruv Shorey, who made 74.

It was Malewar and Karun who lifted Vidarbha after three early strikes in the quarter-final, and they're once again helping Vidarbha build on against Mumbai. Malewar is just 21 and is in his maiden first-class season. Seven matches in, he's already established himself as a key member in the top order. This is his fourth half-century of the season.

Karun, meanwhile, is coming in on the back of hundreds in the final league game against Hyderabad as well as a century in the quarter-finals against TN. Time and again, he has offset Tanush Kotian's threat by using the reverse sweep effectively. He's batting on 29.

A half-century stand has been broken by Shams Mulani as Dhruv Shorey departs for 74. Karun Nair joins Danesh Malewar at the crease as Vidarbha look to rebuild. They're 147 for 3.

In Ahmedabad, Gujarat continue to make inroads. The onus is on Sachin Baby and Jalaj Saxena to lead a recovery as Kerala have been reduced to 101 for 3.

Since his first-class debut in December 2005, no one has taken more Ranji Trophy wickets than Kerala allrounder Jalaj Saxena. Nearly two decades into his career, he continues to push boundaries at an age where several of his contemporaries have long retired.

In what was a wonderfully candid interview recently, Jalaj Saxena tells me about what drives him, channeling the disappointment of having not played for India, why all his heart, emotions and mind is with first-class cricket over one of the many legends leagues that offer easy money.

Shivam Dube has broken a flourishing second-wicket stand by removing Parth Rekhade as Vidarbha go into the break 101/2. Dhruv Shorey has batted superbly this morning to remain 60 not out. It's only his second half-century in what has been a mixed season.

In Ahmedabad, Akshay Chandran and Rohan Kunnummaal began with a half-century stand but Gujarat have hit back with two quick wickets. Kerala are 70/2.

From 60/0, Kerala are now 63/2 as both openers have been dismissed. The wicket of Akshay Chandran was a bonus for Gujarat as it came courtesy a run out totally against the run of play, while the second, Kunnummaal, has been trapped lbw by Ravi Bishnoi. Kunnummaal stabbed down the wrong line and was defeated bt Bishnoi's drift as the ball sneaked past the inside edge to trap him plumb.

In Nagpur, Dhruv Shorey has brought up a solid half-century as Vidarbha are solid after electing to bat against defending champions Mumbai. Parth Rekhade, the left-hander playing in only his second first-class match, has looked solid at the other end. Vidarbha 81/1 in 23 overs.

Fresh off a maiden five-wicket haul in the quarterfinal against Haryana, Royston Dias has delivered the first breakthrough for Mumbai as he comes on first change. He sends back Atharva Taide with a lifter that brushes the gloves on its way to the wicketkeeper. Taide didn't commit to leaving the ball fully and flirted with the idea of playing at it and then belatedly tried to drop his gloves and let it go. That split-second's indecision proved costly. Vidarbha 40/1 in 11 overs.

At Narendra Modi Stadium, Akshay Chandran and Rohan Kunnummaal have given Kerala a solid start against Gujarat. The surface has played true and there haven't been too many demons. There is some assistance for the seamers, but it'll get better for batting as the day progresses. Kerala are 32/0 in 11 0vers.

Dhruv Shorey and Atharva Taide haven't looked in any trouble so far in the first half hour. Vidarbha solid at 19/0 in the eighth over.