Kerala end season on a high with nine-wicket win over Goa
Kerala end season on a high with nine-wicket win over Goa
Kerala clinches a nine-wicket victory over Goa as Nidheesh M.D. stars with a ninth First-Class five-for, sealing a winning end to Goa's Ranji Trophy campaign.
The Goan batting unit crumbled under pressure on the final day as Kerala romped to a nine-wicket win in their Ranji Trophy 2025-26 group-stage match at the Goa Cricket Association Ground here on Sunday. Pacer Nidheesh M.D.’s five-wicket haul was the cornerstone of Kerala’s incisive bowling performance as it bundled out Goa for just 199 in the second innings. The 34-year-old bowled with a menacing intensity throughout the day to claim his ninth First-Class five-for. Goa managed to avoid an innings defeat only thanks to a resolute fifty from Darshan Misal and the 60-run stand he put up with Arjun Tendulkar for the ninth wicket. Kerala polished off the 29-run target inside six overs as it wound up its disappointing domestic season on a winning note.
Kerala’s route to triumph was charted by a four-wicket burst by Nidheesh and Basil N.P. early in the day. The new-ball duo bowled full and straight with a hint of seam movement to dismantle the Goan top order in a 45-minute window. Opener Suyash Prabhudesaai was the first to depart as he was strangled down the leg side by Nidheesh off the first ball of the day. Kashyap Bakhale soon followed his opening partner, after Nidheesh nipped one in to castle him. Goa’s skipper Snehal Kauthankar, too, was bowled, after an ill-advised leave against an inswinger from Basil. No. 3 batter Abhinav Tejrana looked steady out in the middle until he tucked a length ball from Nidheesh straight into the hands of Imran at short leg.
