Ranji Trophy 2018-19, QF 4, Day 3: Kerala crush Gujarat by 113 runs to enter semis for first time ever

What a moment for Kerala to create history in front of their home fans in Wayanad! Setting Gujarat a target of 195 runs to win on day three, pacers Basil Thampi and Sandeep Warrier shared nine wickets between them as Gujarat were skittled for just 81 to hand the home side a crushing 113-run victory in the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 quarter-finals on Thursday. Kerala thus have sealed their berth in the semi-finals for the first time in the storied history of the domestic tournament. (ALSO READ: Hat-trick for Roosh Kalaraia as Kerala set Gujarat a target of 195 runs)

Kerala into the Ranji Trophy Semi finals.

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

Kerala beat Gujarat by 123 runs and qualified into the ranji trophy Semi finals for the time in the history.#KERvGUJ #RanjiTrophy https://t.co/5foed3KOKd pic.twitter.com/AKpiJbW13F

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 17, 2019

Thampi won the Man of the Match award for his five for 27 in the second dig to add to his three scalps in the first innings. Warrier returned with four for 30 in his 13.3 overs to sum up an exquisite pace bowling show for Kerala.

Gujarat’s batting in their second innings was in complete shambles. Both openers – Kathan Patel and Priyank Panchal – were back in the hut after being dismissed by Thampi in the sixth over.

Congrats guys !!! You made us proud.. First time in history Kerala cricket team enters Semi final of the Ranji Trophy.#CongratsKerala pic.twitter.com/aoDF363Isd

— Ramesh Chennithala (@chennithala) January 17, 2019

Captain Parthiv Patel was run out by Sachin Baby and departed without troubling the scorers. Gujarat’s top scorer was Rahul Shah, who was unbeaten on 33. The next highest scorer was Dhruv Raval, who added 17 with as many as nine players departing with single-digit scores.

Brief scores: Kerala 185/9 & 171 beat Gujarat 162 & 81 (Basil Thampi 5/27, Sandeep Warrier 4/30) by 113 runs