Kerala makes history, enters maiden Ranji semi final
Wayanad (Kerala), Jan 17: Scripting history, Kerala stormed into the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy for the first time with a 113-run win over Gujarat on the third day of their quarterfinal match here Thursday.
This is the first time that the Kerala team has entered the last four stage of the prestigious domestic cricket tournament in over six decades.
In the 2017-'18 season, the state made its maiden entry into the quarterfinal, but lost to Vidarbha.
In the semifinal, Kerala will take on the winner of the Vidarbha-Uttarakhand match.
Requiring 195 for a win, Gujarat was shot out for 81 in 31.3 overs as Basil Thampi (5 for 27) and Sandeep Warrier (4 for 30) wrecked the strong rival batting line-up.
A jubilant Kerala captain Sachin Baby said he believed the team can do well in the semifinal.
"We lost to Vidarbha last time, but I believe we can turn up better and beat them this time," he added.
On the match against Gujarat, he said scoring 185 in the first innings was crucial.
"Scoring 185 was a big total on this wicket and that proved to be important," Baby said looking forward to the side's first ever semifinal.
Kerala coach Dav Whatmore, who helped Sri Lanka win the 50-overs World Cup in 1996, said he was delighted with the team's performance.
He lauded the performance of the players, especially the bowlers and all-rounder Jalaj Saxena.
Thampi and Warrier did a fantastic job, he added.
Earlier, Gujarat got off to a shaky start losing opener Kathan D Patel and Priyank Panchal in the sixth over itself.
Patel was bowled by Thampi, who then struck a big blow in the last ball of the same over, trapping the prolific Panchal (3) to leave the visitors tottering at 10 for 2.
Left-hander Rahul Shah was the lone batsman to offer resistance with a fighting knock of 33 not out (70 balls, 4X4).
Gujarat skipper Parthiv Patel, probably the biggest threat for Kerala, was run out for a duck due to a brilliant piece of fielding by his opposite number (Sachin Baby) with a direct hit from mid-on.
Dhruv Raval (17) was the only Gujarat batsman other than Shah to get into double figures as the visiting side struggled on a pitch that offered varied bounce.
The fifth-wicket partnership of 39 between Shah and Raval was the highest of the Gujarat second innings as the rest of the batting line-up failed to negotiate the impressive Thampi and Warrier.
Thampi, who was named man of the match, and Warrier finished with a match haul of eight wickets each.
Brief scores: Kerala 185 and 171 all out (Sijomon Joseph 56, Jalaj Saxena 44 not out, Roosh Kalaria 3 for 36, Axar Patel 3 for 40)
Gujarat 162 all out (Parthiv Patel 43, Roosh Kalaria 36, Sandeep Warrier 4 for 42, M D Nidheesh 3 for 38, Basil Thampi 3 for 61) and 81 all out in 31.3 overs (Rahul Shah 33 not out, Basil Thampi 5 for 27, Sandeep Warrier 4 for 30).
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Dhyan Chand lifetime award to be replaced by Arjuna lifetime
New Delhi, Oct 24: The sports ministry on Thursday announced the discontinuation of the Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement from this year onwards and the introduction of the Arjuna Award Lifetime in its place in a bid to "rationalise" the various sporting honours of the country.
Instituted in 2002, the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Award, named after hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand, is given to individuals in disciplines that are part of the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, among others.
In 2023, the award was given to former shuttler Manjusha Kanwar, ex-hockey exponent Vineet Kumar and kabaddi player Kavitha Selvaraj.
"The various schemes for sports awards have been rationalised wherein Arjuna Award (Lifetime) has been introduced in place of Dhyan Chand Award. To recognise the efforts of coaches at grassroots/development level, they are now eligible for the Dronacharya Award," said a ministry statement.
"The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) has been introduced and will be given for life time contribution to sports development.
"Further, to recognize the Khelo India scheme, the Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy will be given to the University for Overall Top Performance in Khelo India University Games," it added.
The last date for applying for the national sports awards for 2024 is November 14.
