RANJI TROPHY | Kerala turns the screws on Goa with a hefty first-innings lead

Kerala’s batters flexed their muscles for the second day running as they put their side in control against Goa in their Ranji Trophy 2025-26 group-stage match at the GCA Ground here on Saturday.

Skipper Vishnu Vinod’s breezy hundred glued together Kerala’s batting efforts on the third day, as the away side declared at a massive 526 for nine, to gain a 171-run first-innings lead.

In response, Goan openers Suyash Prabhudessai and Kashyap Bakhale added 18 runs from four overs before stumps.

Earlier, Vishnu formed crucial middle-order alliances with Ahammed Imran and Ankit Sharma to chart Kerala’s ascendancy.

Goa players search for a lost ball beyond the boundary line on day-3 of their Group B Ranji Trophy match against Kerala held at Goa Cricket Association (GCA) Academy Ground, in Alto Porvorim, Goa on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

Vishnu’s knock was a stroke-filled endeavour studded with adventurous sweeps and elegant flicks, as he scored his third First-Class hundred in just 110 deliveries.

The 32-year-old’s rousing surge stood in contrast with his team’s sedate approach in the morning session. After having streaked at over four runs per over on Friday, Kerala restarted its batting essay cautiously.

Overnight batters Rohan Kunnummal and Salman Nizar kept their attacking shots in check, adding just 31 runs from 14 overs in the opening hour.

Kerala opener Rohan ticked on and brought up his maiden First-Class 150, but was soon dismissed after slicing left-arm pacer Arjun Tendulkar to deep cover.

Goa gained another breakthrough before lunch when Salman, who had just reached his fifty, chipped a return catch to off-spinner Lalit Yadav.

But Kerala’s prospects were reinstated by Vishnu and Imran, who put on a 93-run stand for the fifth wicket to put their side ahead in the contest.

Kerala’s Captain Vishnu Vinod plays a shot against Goa on day-3 of their Group B Ranji Trophy match at the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) Academy Ground, in Alto Porvorim, Goa on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

Soon enough, Vishnu and Ankit drove home the advantage for Kerala by adding 60 runs in just over 10 overs.

Despite Kerala’s gains on Saturday, this game looks destined for a draw, unless the away bowlers manage to trigger a major Goan collapse early on in the final day.

The scores: Goa — 1st innings: 355.

Kerala — 1st innings: Rohan Kunnummal c Kasvankar b Tendulkar 153, Abhishek Nair lbw b Pandrekar 32, Sachin Baby c Kauthankar b Lalit 37, Salman Nizar c & b Lalit 52, Vishnu Vinod lbw b Pandrekar 113, Ahammed Imran run out 31, Manav Krishna c Misal b Tendulkar 12, Ankit Sharma b Lalit 36, Sreehari Nair c Kauthankar b Pandrekar 4, Basil N.P. (not out) 13, Nidheesh M.D. (not out) 20; Extras (nb-3, b-12, w-5, lb-3): 23; Total (for nine wkts. decl. in 135 overs): 526.

Fall of wickets: 1-97, 2-183, 3-281, 4-299, 5-392, 6-410, 7-470, 8-458, 9-492.

Goa bowling: Tendulkar 28-6-109-2, Koushik 26-7-67-0, Misal 22-1-93-0, Lalit 31-3-112-3, Pandrekar 21-0-85-3, Kasvankar 6-0-36-0, Tejrana 1-0-9-0.

Goa — 2nd innings: Suyash Prabhudessai (batting) 14, Kashyap Bakhale (batting) 4; Total (for no loss in four overs): 18.

Kerala bowling: Ankit 2-1-4-0, Sreehari 2-0-14-0.

Published – January 31, 2026 05:56 pm IST