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Ranji Trophy 2026/27: Azharuddeen, spinners help Kerala seize control

Kerala took firm control of their Ranji Trophy clash against Odisha on the second day at the Greenfield Stadium, thanks to a resilient century from Mohammed Azharuddeen and a late batting surge. Azharuddeen, who had previously struggled in first-class cricket, scored an unbeaten 139, his third century in the format, while Aditya Sarvate added a quickfire 53 to steer Kerala to a commanding 404.

The partnership frustrated Odisha’s bowlers, with Kerala’s lower order contributing crucial runs after key wickets fell, including those of Sachin Baby (112) and Vishnu Vinod (21).

Odisha’s early momentum stalled as Kerala’s spinners and medium pacers stifled their top order, leaving them at 103 for three by the close of play. Shantanu Mishra (32) and Gourav Choudhary (50) were the only batsmen to make significant scores, but Kerala’s disciplined bowling—led by Jalaj Saxena and Abhijith Praveen—kept Odisha’s total in check.

The match’s turning point came when Sarvate’s aggressive strokeplay and Azharuddeen’s late aggression shifted momentum decisively in Kerala’s favor, setting the stage for a potential series-defining performance.

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