WATCH: Rohan Kunnummal’s blinder at short cover sends Akshay Karnewar in Ranji Trophy final

The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final between Vidarbha and Kerala commenced play on Day 2 after the former concluded the first day with 254/4, with Danish Malewar emerging as the day’s top performance. Malewar and experienced batsman Karun Nair formed a crucial combination to keep Vidarbha out of trouble. Rohan Kunnummal of Kerala gave Nair a spectacular run-out, sending him back to the pavilion for 86 just as he was about to record yet another century.

On Day 2, Rohan Kunnummal displayed even more skill in the field as he dismissed Akshay Karnewar after a spectacular catch off Jalaj Saxena’s bowling. On the opening ball of the 111th over, Kunnummal, who was positioned at short covers, leaped to his left off a drive by Karnewar. As the team captained by Sachin Baby attempts to win the main red-ball championship for the first time, his acrobatic reflexes gave Kerala the eighth breakthrough in the opening innings.

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/up5GVaflpp pic.twitter.com/RG0K3Jcmax

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 27, 2025

Danish Malewar was the leading scorer for Vidarbha, who concluded the innings with 379 runs from 123.1 overs. Malewar was defeated by Nedumankuzhy Basil after scoring a commanding 153 runs. The first innings for the Akshay Wadkar-led team was ended by MD Nidheesh after Harsh Dubey and Nachiket Bhute added 46 runs for Vidarbha’s final wicket.

Rohan Kunnummal unsuccessful bat performance

Despite Rohan Kunnummal’s acrobatics playing a significant role in the game for the Kerala team, he was unable to do well at bat. A yorker, a ball that the batter whacked onto the stumps, was used by ace bowler Darshan Nalkande to eliminate the opener on a duck in the opening over. With another blow of comparable length, Nalkande got rid of Akshay Chandran, the other opener.

Aditya Sarvate assumed responsibility for playing all day after a collapse. In the hopes of turning his knock into a huge one, the all-rounder, who is still undefeated at 66 at Stumps, will resume his batting on Day 3.