Rain
In the Maharashtra Cricket Team Vs Kerala Cricket Team Ranji Trophy Group B match at the Sports Hub Greenfield Stadium, rain once again disrupted Kerala’s progress on the second day.
Rajneesh Gurbani, who had troubled Kerala eight years earlier in a quarterfinal tie at Surat, took two quick wickets before rain forced an early end to the post-lunch session.
Jalaj Saxena struck again by trapping opener Rohan Kunnummal lbw for 21 after he attempted an expansive drive and edged the ball.
| Date | Opponent | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2026 | Madhya Pradesh | Ranji Trophy | Lost by 133 runs |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Goa | Ranji Trophy | Won by 8 wickets |
| Jan 8, 2026 | Goa | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Won by 5 runs |
| Jan 6, 2026 | Chhattisgarh | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Lost by 6 runs |
| Jan 3, 2026 | Mumbai | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Won by 128 runs |
| Dec 31, 2025 | Uttarakhand | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Won by 129 runs |
| Dec 29, 2025 | Himachal Pradesh | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Lost by 7 runs |
| Dec 26, 2025 | Sikkim | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Won by 8 wickets |
| Dec 24, 2025 | Punjab | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Lost by 51 runs |
| Dec 8, 2025 | Goa | Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | Won by 15 runs |
| Date | Opponent | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2026 | Goa | Ranji Trophy | Won by 9 wickets |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Chandigarh | Ranji Trophy | Lost by an innings and 92 runs |
| Jan 8, 2026 | Tamil Nadu | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Lost by 77 runs |
| Jan 6, 2026 | Puducherry | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Won by 8 wickets |
| Jan 3, 2026 | Jharkhand | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Won by 8 wickets |
| Dec 31, 2025 | Rajasthan | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Won by 2 wickets |
| Dec 29, 2025 | Madhya Pradesh | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Lost by 47 runs |
| Dec 26, 2025 | Karnataka | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Lost by 8 wickets |
| Dec 24, 2025 | Tripura | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Won by 145 runs |
| Dec 8, 2025 | Assam | Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | Lost by 5 wickets |
Despite Hitesh Walunj’s impressive form, Maharashtra have had a below-par season so far. With only one win in five matches, they are well off the pace of the Elite Group ‘A’ table leaders Vidarbha. Nonetheless, they can still reach the knockouts if they win their remaining three games.
Rajneesh Gurbani
Rajneesh Gurbani is no stranger to the highs and lows of first-class cricket. The right-arm fast bowler made a huge impression in the Ranji Trophy this season as Vidarbha defeated Delhi to make history by entering the summit clash for the first time. The 25-year-old then went on to perform superbly in the four-day match against England A in Bangalore, taking an incredible 12 wickets in the series.
The youngster from Nagpur grew up in an environment that was filled with sporting culture. His school had a good cricket team and he was spotted by coaches at the Dr Ambedkar Academy. He was introduced to the game at a young age and did well in Giles Shield matches. He is now in the senior squad of Vidarbha.
He has a natural ability to spin the ball and has developed his own style of bowling. He can use his height and reach to good advantage and has a deceptive arm action. He has a very promising future and is a player to watch out for.
After impressing with his pace and variety in the Ranji Trophy, Gurbani was rewarded by being included in the India A squad for the tour of England. Gurbani is expected to make a big impact in the four-day games starting on July 16. He will be hoping that his performance in the series will set the stage for him to play international cricket.
Gurbani’s magnificent display in just his second first-class season has opened the door for him to big gains in the Indian Premier League auction. He could become a household name if he can prove his mettle at the highest level. He has the potential to be a big hit like Nathu Singh, who was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 3.2 crore in the 2017 auction.
The Kerala cricket team has been bolstered by the inclusion of some big names in their squad for the KCL season. The Rs 7 lakh purchase of Ajnas M, a Category A retention from Vidarbha and an established member of the Kerala senior team, marks a clear commitment to rebuild a squad that lost in the final last year. The Rs 6.60 lakh spent on MD Nidheesh, a Category A player with senior experience, also indicates a bowling-first approach.
Jalaj Saxena
Despite being the oldest of the KCL franchises, Kochi have struggled to turn their success into domestic trophy gold. Nonetheless, they retain Saly Samson in his role as captain and have made big investments in bowling, with Rs 8.4 crore spent on Category A retentions Sharafuddeen NM and Abhishek J Nair and an eye-catching Rs 2.50 lakh buy in wicketkeeper-batsman Vignesh Puthur. They have also retained a stable top order, with established Kerala senior-team batters Salman Nizar and Rohan Kunnummal anchoring the side.
Winners in 2024 and finalists in the following season, Calicut are a well-established outfit, with Sharafuddeen NM, Abhishek J Nair and Rahul M Shah all retained at Category A prices. They also protected established frontline bowlers Sriranjan M, MD Nidheesh and Krishna Devan, while paying the auction’s second-highest price for left-arm wrist spinner Jalaj Saxena.
Ankit Sharma
Ankit Sharma is an Indian singer who rose to fame with his soulful voice and dynamic music style, inspired by traditional Punjabi folk music and modern influences. Born in Ludhiana, he has a strong passion for music that developed at an early age and is highly influenced by his cultural roots and contemporary influences.
An old scourge returned to torment Kerala on the second day of the Maharashtra Cricket Team Vs Kerala Cricket Team Ranji Trophy match in Pune. Rajneesh Gurbani, who blew away the visitors in a quarterfinal match eight years ago, made a quick start in the post-lunch session, taking two wickets in four balls.
Also Read : Kerala Cricket Team Schedule
