• Vidarbha’s young batting sensation Danish Malewar showcased remarkable temperament on Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy 2025 final.

  • He scored a superb 168-ball century against Kerala at the VCA Stadium, Jamtha in Nagpur.

Ranji Trophy 2025 Final: Fans celebrate as Vidarbha’s Danish Malewar slams a gritty hundred against Kerala
Danish Malewar (Image Source: X)

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Vidarbha’s young batting sensation Danish Malewar showcased remarkable temperament and skill on Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy 2025 final, scoring a superb 168-ball century against Kerala at the VCA Stadium, Jamtha in Nagpur.

Danish Malewar’s century lifts Vidarbha in Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final against Kerala

The 21-year-old walked out to bat at a time when his team was in serious trouble, reeling at 24 for 3 after just 12 overs, on a greenish pitch that had plenty of movement for the seamers early on. Malewar’s century not only steadied the innings but also gave Vidarbha the upper hand in what was shaping up to be a tough battle for the prestigious domestic title.

Vidarbha, led by Akshay Wadkar, had opted for a slightly unorthodox strategy by tweaking their batting order to counter the new ball. Lower-order batters Parth Rekhade and Darshan Nalkande were promoted to the top of the order in an attempt to see off the new ball and make things easier for the middle order. However, the move backfired spectacularly as Kerala’s pace attack, making the most of the lively surface, struck thrice within the first session to put Vidarbha on the back foot early in the contest. With the team in dire need of a solid partnership, Malewar walked in at No. 4 and took control of the situation alongside the experienced Karun Nair, who was playing at No. 5.

A crucial partnership with Karun Nair changes momentum

With Vidarbha under immense pressure after losing three quick wickets, Malewar and Nair had the daunting task of stabilizing the innings against a confident Kerala bowling attack. The duo put on a brilliant 100-plus stand that completely changed the flow of the game. Malewar initially took his time to settle in, absorbing the pressure and allowing himself to adjust to the tricky conditions. Once he got comfortable at the crease, he began to play with increasing confidence, rotating the strike efficiently and punishing the loose deliveries. Nair provided much-needed support at the other end, and together, the two batters ensured that Vidarbha went to lunch without further damage.

After the break, Malewar continued to play with the same composure that had defined his knock in the first session. He gradually increased the tempo, finding the gaps with precision and putting pressure back on the bowlers. His shot selection was impeccable, and he showed his ability to play both pace and spin with equal ease. His defining moment came when he reached 99 runs with a six off left-arm spinner Aditya Sarvate, a shot that exemplified his growing confidence and aggressive intent. He brought up his century with a stylish four through mid-wicket, capping off a remarkable innings under pressure.

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Malewar’s impact in the knockout stages of the Ranji Trophy

This century further cemented Malewar’s reputation as one of the most promising young batters in domestic cricket, as he had already made significant contributions in the previous knockout matches leading up to the final. In the quarterfinal against Tamil Nadu, he played a crucial 75-run knock in the first innings, though he was dismissed for a duck in the second innings. In the semifinal against Mumbai, he once again delivered under pressure, scoring 79 runs in the first innings and 29 in the second innings, ensuring that Vidarbha remained competitive throughout the contest. Now, in the final against Kerala, he has once again risen to the occasion, playing what could be the most significant innings of his young career.

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