RANJI TROPHY | Kerala finishes its disappointing season on a winning note

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.

Goa’s Kashyap Bakhale is bowled by Kerala’s Nidheesh on day-4 of their Ranji Trophy match at the Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground, in Alto Porvorim, Goa on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

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.

Goan 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.

Goa’s captain Snehal Kauthankar is bowled by Kerala bowler Basil on day-4 of their Ranji Trophy match at the Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground, in Alto Porvorim, Goa on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

The Goan middle-order resisted briefly, but was dislodged by Kerala spinners Ankit Sharma and Imran, who claimed three quick wickets before Lunch.

The counterpunch from Misal and Tendulkar failed to break Kerala’s dominance as a returning Nidheesh wiped off the Goan tail to seal his five-for and the win.

The scores: Goa — 1st innings: 355.

Kerala — 1st innings: 526 decl.

Goa — 2nd innings: Suyash Prabhudessai c Krishna b Nidheesh 14, Kashyap Bakhale b Nidheesh 15, Abhinav Tejrana c Imran b Nidheesh 17, Snehal Kauthankar b Basil 0, Lalit Yadav st Krishna b Ankit 27, Amulya Pandrekar c Baby b Ankit 32, Yash Kasvankar b Imran 6, Darshan Misal c Abhishek b Nidheesh 55, Samar Dubhashi c Salman b Nidheesh 6, Arjun Tendulkar c Baby b Ankit 24, V. Koushik (not out) 0; Extras (nb-2, w-1): 3; Total (in 53.3 overs): 199.

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 1-41, 3-42, 4-46, 5-90, 6-103, 7-116, 8-129, 9-189.

Kerala’s Sachin Baby snaps up the catch of Goa’s Amulya Pandrekar on day-4 of their Group B Ranji Trophy match at the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) Academy Ground, in Alto Porvorim, Goa on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

Kerala bowling: Ankit 18-2-56-3, Sreehari 7-1-34-0, Nidheesh 13.3-2-47-5, Basil 7-0-37-1, Imran 6-1-21-1, Baby 1-1-0-0, Vinod 1-0-4-0.

Kerala — 2nd innings: Abhishek Nair (not out) 19, Sachin Baby c Dubhashi b Koushik 1, Salman Nizar (not out) 9; Total (for one wkt. in 5.5 overs): 29.

Fall of wicket: 1-7.

Goa bowling: Koushik 3-1-3-1, Pandrekar 2.5-0-26-0.

Kerala won by nine wickets.

Published – February 01, 2026 05:47 pm IST