Uttar Pradesh Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard
The Ranji Trophy fixture between Kerala and Uttar Pradesh at the St Xavier’s College Ground in Thumba (6–9 November 2024) turned into one of those matches where momentum never really shifted once it found its home. Kerala walked away with an innings and 117-run win, a result built on patience, discipline, and several standout individual efforts.
Table of Contents
Match Overview
- Tournament: Ranji Trophy 2024–25, Elite Group C
- Date: 6–9 November 2024
- Venue: St Xavier’s College Ground, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram
- Toss: Kerala won the toss and surprisingly chose to bowl first
- Result: Kerala defeated UP by an innings and 117 runs
The moment Kerala opted to bowl, it seemed like a tactical decision based on surface conditions. As things played out, the choice proved spot-on.
Playing XIs
Kerala
Vathsal Govind, Rohan Kunnummal, Baba Aparajith, Aditya Sarwate, Sachin Baby (c), Akshay Chandran, Salman Nizar, Jalaj Saxena, Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), Basil Thampi, KM Asif.
Uttar Pradesh
Aryan Juyal (c & wk), Madhav Kaushik, Priyam Garg, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Siddarth Yadav, Saurabh Kumar, Shivam Mavi, Piyush Chawla, Shivam Sharma, Aaqib Khan.
Kerala’s First Innings: 395 All Out
Kerala’s innings was a masterclass in patience. They didn’t rush but instead built their total brick by brick.
Key Contributions
- Sachin Baby – 83 (165)
A captain’s knock filled with grit, strike rotation, and a calm head against the spinners. - Salman Nizar – 93 (202)
Perhaps the most crucial knock of the match. Nizar held the innings together and cashed in when UP’s bowlers erred even slightly. - Jalaj Saxena – 35 (77)
A handy lower-order cameo that stretched Kerala well beyond 350.
What made Kerala’s innings imposing wasn’t a single huge innings but a series of stubborn, well-timed partnerships. Their middle and lower order squeezed the fight out of the UP attack, which struggled to string together wicket-taking spells.
UP’s First Innings: 162 All Out
Uttar Pradesh began with hope but quickly found themselves pushed into survival mode. The pitch had settled, but Kerala’s bowlers used discipline as their biggest weapon.
Notable Scores
- Aryan Juyal – 23
- Nitish Rana – 25
- Siddarth Yadav – 19
These were all starts that could have become something more, but UP failed to string together even one substantial partnership.
Kerala’s Bowling Backbone
- Jalaj Saxena – 5/56
The veteran off-spinner showed his experience, mixing drift, dip, and nagging off-stump lines. - Basil Thampi & KM Asif chipped in with pressure spells that built the foundation for wickets.
Kerala’s massive first-innings lead of 233 runs practically sealed UP’s fate before the follow-on began.
UP’s Second Innings: 116 All Out
If UP needed a miracle, it never arrived. Their second innings was a repeat of their first—except shorter and more desperate.
Top Performers
- Madhav Kaushik – 36 (78)
The lone bright spot who looked intent on fighting it out. - Priyam Garg – 22
A brief patch of defiance. - Aaqib Khan – 11
A lower-order effort that hardly moved the needle.
Kerala’s Bowling Again Dominates
- Jalaj Saxena – 6 wickets
- Aditya Sarwate – 3 wickets
UP never looked settled, and Kerala’s bowlers never let the pressure ease. The defeat—by an innings and 117 runs—was a fair reflection of how one-sided the match eventually became.
Match Scorecard Table
| Team & Innings | Score | Top Batters | Best Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala 1st Innings | 395 all out (124.1 ov) | Salman Nizar 93, Sachin Baby 83, Jalaj Saxena 35 | UP bowlers shared wickets; no standout |
| UP 1st Innings | 162 all out (60.2 ov) | Nitish Rana 25, Aryan Juyal 23 | Jalaj Saxena 5/56, Thampi 2, Asif 1 |
| UP 2nd Innings | 116 all out (37.5 ov) | Madhav Kaushik 36, Priyam Garg 22 | Jalaj Saxena 6 wickets, Sarwate 3 |
Top Performers
Player of the Match: Jalaj Saxena
Few cricketers dominate a match the way Jalaj Saxena did here:
- 11 wickets in the match (5 + 6)
- Valuable lower-order 35 runs
His all-round performance wasn’t just good—it was decisive.
Batting Standouts
- Salman Nizar
- Sachin Baby
Both played innings that ensured Kerala never let go of their early advantage.
Bowling Support Cast
- Basil Thampi
- KM Asif
- Aditya Sarwate
Together, they ensured UP never had breathing room.
Key Moments That Changed the Match
- Kerala winning the toss and bowling first
The decision set the tone and kept UP guessing. - Middle-order partnership between Salman Nizar & Sachin Baby
This stand pushed Kerala beyond the reach of UP. - UP’s first-innings collapse
162 was never going to be enough. This was the turning point. - Jalaj Saxena’s 11-wicket haul
His relentless accuracy crushed UP’s hopes in both innings. - UP’s inability to form partnerships in the second innings
Even modest resistance could have forced Kerala to bat again.
Reactions (Likely & Contextual)
While there were no publicly available press conferences for this particular Ranji match, the outcomes hint at what the dressing rooms must have felt.
Uttar Pradesh Camp
Reflective, perhaps frustrated. The batting collapses would concern any coach, especially in a tournament where first-innings performance dictates momentum.
Kerala Camp
Delighted. This wasn’t a narrow win—it was a statement. Expect ample praise for Saxena and the middle order.
Points Table Impact
With this result:
- Kerala collected full points, boosting their Group C standing.
- UP gained nothing—no first-innings lead, no draw points.
This defeat makes UP’s path to the knockout stages far more challenging.
Expert Take: What This Match Tells Us
Kerala’s Outlook
Kerala looked like a team that understood conditions better and executed their plans without fuss. Their spin attack is arguably among the most reliable in domestic cricket, and with their batting stepping up, they become dark horses in the group.
UP’s Situation
UP’s batting frailties were brutally exposed. Their inability to counter spin, build partnerships, or absorb pressure leaves them with several questions to answer before their next match.
The Ranji Trophy often rewards teams that master the basics early in the tournament; Kerala did exactly that here.
FAQs
Who won the Uttar Pradesh vs Kerala cricket match?
Kerala won by an innings and 117 runs.
What was the final score?
Kerala: 395
UP: 162 & 116
Who was Player of the Match?
Jalaj Saxena.
Where was the match played?
St Xavier’s College Ground, Thumba.
How does this affect the points table?
Kerala move upward with maximum points; UP remain stranded.
Conclusion
The Uttar Pradesh cricket team vs Kerala cricket team match scorecard tells a story that’s as straightforward as the numbers show. Kerala outplayed UP in every department—batting, bowling, and temperament. With Saxena leading the charge, Kerala’s victory was comprehensive and richly deserved.
UP, meanwhile, have plenty to think about. Their top and middle-order will need quick course correction, especially against spin-heavy teams.