WATCH: Rohan Kunnummal’s spectacular catch to dismiss Akshay Karnewar in Ranji Trophy finals

Kerala performed a tremendous comeback in the finals of Ranji Trophy against Vidarbha. The first-time finalists, led by Sachin Baby, saw their bowlers take the attacking against the hosts and crawl their way back into the game. Kerala opener Rohan Kunnummal was the star in the field with his amazing fielding. 

Kunnummal had a huge role to play in Karun Nair getting run-out for 86 runs. The 26-year-old, not to be outdone in the field, took an exceptional catch on the second day of the game. The incident occurred on the first ball of the 111th over, bowled by veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena. 

Watch the video here:

Rohan Kunnummal at it again 🙌

After the brilliant run out of Karun Nair, he pulls off a fantastic catch to dismiss Akshay Karnewar 🔥#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/up5GVaflpppic.twitter.com/RG0K3Jcmax

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 27, 2025

Saxena bowled a ball that invited the batter for a drive and Karnewar obliged and hit it in the air. The ball was traveling at good speed and Kunnummal, who was fielding in the covers, dove to his left and took an amazing catch. Karnewar could only look down in disbelief after being dismissed for 12 runs from 22 balls with two fours. 

Vidarbha batting crumble after good start 

Last year’s runners-up Vidarbha ended the first day of the Ranji Final against Kerala on 254/4 from 86 overs. Yash Thakur had come out to join centurion Danish Malewar, who was batting on 138. The pair resumed batting on Thursday and Thakur in particular looked in a positive frame of mind. 

Malewar reached his 150 with a huge six as he was given a warm round of applause by his teammates. Vidarbha lost three wickets for just seven runs in a space of five overs. Malewar was the first to go when he was bowled for 153 by N Basil. This was followed by the wicket of Yash Thakur, who was LBW to Basil for 25. 

Kerala pacer Eden Apple Tom then got the wicket of Yash Rathod caught in the slips by Kunnummal. Skipper Akshay Wadkar and Karnewar then added 36 runs for the eighth wicket before the latter was dismissed. Two runs later, Wadkar was caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Azharudeen for 23 to give Tom his third wicket. Vidarbvha went into lunch at 373/9, with Nachiket Bhute batting on 28 and Harsh Dubey on 10.