Kerala Seizes Crucial First-Innings Lead Against Gujarat in Ranji Trophy Semifinal

Kerala bowled out Gujarat for 455, creating a match-defining margin of two runs to take a huge stride towards reaching the Ranji Trophy final.
Before this, Gujarat's teen batting star Jaymeet Patel held firm against intense pressure in his debut First-Class season to bring his team nearer to Kerala's first-innings score with a rearguard action on Day 4 in the Ranji Trophy semifinal at Narendra Modi Stadium.

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This year, Jaymeet, Gujarat's top run-getter, entered with the hosts struggling under a middle-order collapse led by Kerala's experienced off-spinner Jalaj Saxena. Rather than crumbling under pressure, however, he played the game out, stitching together vital partnerships with Vishal Jayswal and Siddharth Desai. His cautious approach helped Gujarat continue to chip away at the deficit, leaving it poised for a nerve-wracking finish where each run would be precious.
Gujarat's prospects of first innings lead were rocked in the morning session earlier in the day when Manan Hingrajia was given out by a debatable third-umpire decision, five overs into the morning session. The replays indicated the ball hitting his bat and pad nearly in unison, but the referral went against him to Kerala's benefit, having him return to the pavilion for 33.