On February 21, the Narendra Modi Stadium at Ahmedabad witnessed a dramatic nail-biting semifinal between Kerala and Gujarat as Kerala sealed a tight lead in the first innings. Kerala clinched their first-ever final berth after a tense final-over showdown that saw Gujarat fall short in the first-innings battle. The drama unfolded with Gujarat needing just three runs to secure the lead on Day 5. The tension, however, was on top throughout the day as both teams battled for every run and wicket. In the dying moments of the match, Gujarat needed just two runs to level the scores. Arzan Nagwaswalla was at the crease, and the stage was set. With the pressure mounting, Kerala’s bowler Aditya Sarwate delivered a slow, looping ball that tempted Nagwaswalla into taking a risky shot. The ball went high enough but hit the helmet of a short-leg fielder, Salman Nizar, and then bounced to Sachin Baby standing alert in the slips. Baby took a stunning catch, wrapping up the match. The crowd hooted and cheered for the Kerala team, knowing the first-inning lead would take them one step closer to the Ranji Trophy final—a first in their 74-year history. 1⃣ wicket in hand 2⃣ runs to equal scores 3⃣ runs to secure a crucial First-Innings Lead Joy. Despair. Emotions. Absolute Drama! 😮 Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/kisimA9o9w#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #GUJvKER | #SF1 pic.twitter.com/LgTkVfRH7q — BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 21, 2025 Read also: Shubman Gill’s Gritty Century, Taskin’s Sportsmanship Shine Turning Point in the Final Over The morning in Ahmedabad unfolded with high drama, as Gujarat, resuming from 429 for 7 at stumps on Day 4, needed just 30 more runs to overtake Kerala’s first-innings total. Jaymeet Patel and Siddharth Desai, unbeaten overnight, had put together a crucial 72-run stand that kept Kerala on edge. With Gujarat on the verge of taking the lead, Jaymeet and Siddharth appeared set to guide their team past the required target. However, Aditya Sarwate turned the tide by dismissing both batters after a couple of missed chances, shifting the momentum back in Kerala’s favor. The morning session was a nerve-wracking affair, but Kerala managed to hold on by the slimmest of margins. Disappointment loomed in the Gujarat dressing room. Despite Priyank Panchal’s commanding 148 and Aarya Desai’s well-compiled 73, giving the hosts a strong foundation, they failed to capitalize on crucial junctures in the match. Earlier, Kerala had built a formidable total of 455, thanks to Mohammed Azharuddeen’s brilliant 177. Captain Sachin Baby played a resilient knock of 69, while Salman Nizar added a valuable 52, showcasing remarkable courage at short leg. As Kerala began their second innings on Friday, they were well aware that their efforts had already secured a well-deserved spot in the final. By the time the match was declared drawn, Gujarat scored 114 runs by loosing 4 wickets.