Mohammed Azharuddeen’s resilient knock of 149* helped Kerala seize the advantage on day two against Gujarat, with the match poised at 418/7 at the close of play in Ahmedabad. The wicketkeeper-batter’s patient century, combined with solid contributions from the lower middle order, ensured Kerala maintained their momentum despite the slow-paced pitch conditions.

Gujarat struck early, dismissing Kerala captain Sachin Baby (69) without adding to his overnight score. Baby edged an outswinger from Arzan Nagwaswalla to first slip just two balls into the session. With the second new ball in hand, Gujarat’s bowlers hoped to build on this early breakthrough. However, Salman Nizar (52) dug in and frustrated the Gujarat attack with his determination. Nizar faced 202 balls and shared a crucial 149-run partnership with Azharuddeen.

The pitch offered little assistance to the bowlers, with both fast bowlers and spinners struggling to generate significant movement or create chances. As a result, both batters and bowlers faced a test of patience. Azharuddeen not only reached his century but also controlled the flow of the innings, allowing his team to progress steadily. Ahammed Imran (24) supported him well, adding 40 crucial runs before being dismissed. Aditya Sarwate, who replaced Imran, also showed composure to see the day out for Kerala.

For Gujarat, it was another demanding day in the field. Nagwaswalla (3-64) stood out as the pick of the bowlers, showing persistence despite the challenging conditions. Kerala’s batters, recognizing the nature of the pitch, adopted a traditional First-Class approach and patiently wore down Gujarat’s attack.

Brief Scores: Kerala 418/7 (Mohammed Azharuddeen 149*, Sachin Baby 69; Arzan Nagwaswalla 3-64) vs Gujarat