In the ongoing Ranji Trophy semi-final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Kerala has established a strong position against Gujarat after opting to bat first. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Azharuddin has been the standout performer, scoring a remarkable century off 175 balls, making him only the second player from Kerala to achieve this feat in the tournament's history. Notably, he is also the first from Kerala to score a century in a Ranji semi-final, marking a significant milestone for the team.

Azharuddin's innings has been pivotal, especially after Kerala lost three wickets for just 86 runs. He shared a crucial partnership of over 148 runs with Salman Nizar, who also contributed with a half-century. Captain Sachin Baby played a vital role as well, stabilizing the innings with his score of 69 runs off 195 balls. The team's total stands impressively at 206 for 4 at one point, showcasing their resilience against a challenging Gujarat bowling attack, led by Arjan Nagwaswala, who took two wickets.