Ranji Trophy 2026-27 — Jharkhand settles for draw with Kerala after Sarwate’s late-order fightback

Spinners Utkarsh Singh, Manishi Singh and Kounain Qurashi helped Jharkhand take the first innings lead against Kerala. | Photo Credit: P. K. Ajith Kumar

On a flat track that was a graveyard for bowlers, it was always going to be a competition for the first-innings lead. Jharkhand had all but ensured it on the third day itself, while for Kerala, only a huge partnership from its overnight batters would have given them any chance.

Salman Nizar and Aditya Sarwate had come together late on the third day, following a middle-order collapse that saw Kerala lose four wickets while adding 45. They continued their good work and raised their team’s hopes as they played for more than 20 overs after resuming at the overnight score of 269 for six.

But, Salman (43, 135b, 3x4) fell to left-arm spinner Manishi Singh; the seventh-wicket partnership was worth 104. The left-arm spinner then removed Edhen Apple Tom, who had been injured and could not bowl after the first day. Now the only question was whether Sarawate would be able to complete his century. He could not; he was caught behind off Utkarsh Singh for 95 (135b, 14x4, 1x6). It was indeed a fine innings down the order.

Kerala was dismissed for 395, giving the host a lead of 192. Manishi and Utkarsh claimed four wickets each and the remaining two were taken by the other spinner, Kounain Qurashi.

Batting a second time, Kerala lost an early wicket, that of Rohan Kunnummal. Abhishek P. Nair, the centurion from the first innings, and Sachin Baby killed whatever small hopes the home team may have entertained. Convinced that there was no possibility of a decisive result, the two sides settled for an early finish. Jharkhand gets three points, because of the first innings, and Kerala two.

“It is a good start to the season for us,” said the Jharkhand coach Ratan Kumar. “Our spinners tried hard though there wasn’t much help from the wicket. And Kerala’s opener Abhishek batted really well in both innings.”

Kerala’s coach Swapnil Asnodkar also praised Abhishek. “He is a huge positive for us,” he said.

The scores:

Jharkhand -- 1st Innings: 587.

Kerala -- 1st Innings: Abhishek P. Nair c & b Manishi 126, Rohan Kunnummal c Sushant b Uktarsh 44, Sachin Baby c Minz b Utkarsh 35, Vishnu Vinod lbw b Quraishi 15, Salman Nizar c Mohan b Manishi 43, Mohammed Azharuddeen c sub b Quraishi 0, Jalaj Saxena lbw b Utkarsh 7, Aditya Sarwate c Minz b Utkarsh 95, Edhen Apple Tom lbw b Manishi 3, Vaishakh Chandran lbw b Manishi 11, M.D. Nidheesh (not out) 0; Extras (b-4, lb-2, w-3, nb-2, pen-5) 16; Total (in 127.5 overs): 395.

FALL OF WICKETS

1-83, 2-204, 3-224, 4-232, 5-232, 6-249, 7-353, 8-360, 9-395.

JHARKHAND BOWLING

Sahil 9-2-27-0, Sushant 12-0-69-0, Manishi 29.5-4-92-4, Uktarsh 31-8-69-4, Shekhar 9-0-42-0, Quraishi 21-7-41-2, Aditya 16-2-44-0.

Kerala -- 2nd Innings: Abhishek P. Nair (not out) 23, Rohan Kunnummal c Virat b Utkarsh 1, Sachin Baby b Quraishi 37; Extras (lb-1) 1; Total (for two wkts. in 19.3 overs: 62.

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-7, 2-62.

JHARKHAND BOWLING

Utkarsh 6-1-15-1, Manishi 1-0-3-0, Quraishi 8.3-2-30-1, Aditya 4-1-13-0.