Jharkhand Vs Kerala Highlights, Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Samson, Kunnummal Tons Power KER To Eight-Wicket Win

Greetings and welcome, everyone. The Vijay Hazare Trophy continues with its fifth-round matches and in Elite Group A, Jharkhand take on Kerala in Ahmedabad. Stay with us for the build-up and live updates from the match.

• Fixture: Jharkhand vs Kerala, Group A

• Series: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 Round 5

• Venue: ADSA Railways Cricket Ground, Ahmedabad

• Date: Saturday, 3 January 2026

• Time: 9:00 AM IST

Jharkhand have won the toss and have opted to bat.

Jharkhand (Playing XI): Shikhar Mohan, Utkarsh Singh, Ishan Kishan(w/c), Virat Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Anukul Roy, Rajandeep Singh, Md Kounain Quraishi, Vikash Singh, Manishi, Shubham Singh

Kerala (Playing XI): Rohan Kunnummal(c), Sanju Samson(w), Vishnu Vinod, Baba Aparajith, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Muhammed Sharafuddeen, Salman Nizar, Ankit Sharma, MD Nidheesh, Eden Apple Tom, Vignesh Puthur

Jharkhand are in early trouble after losing both openers. Shikhar Mohan edged behind to Vishnu Vinod off Edhen Apple Tom for 13, and Utkarsh Singh soon followed, caught by Sharafuddeen N M off Nidheesh M D after a scratchy stay. Virat Singh is digging in at one end, while Kumar Kushagra has shown some intent, keeping Jharkhand afloat as they look to rebuild.

Jharkhand are finding some stability now. Kumar Kushagra is growing in confidence, unbeaten on 34 off 34 with a couple of boundaries keeping the pressure off.

At the other end, skipper Ishan Kishan has walked in with intent and clarity, 20 off just 18 balls, making sure the momentum doesn’t dip. After that early wobble, this pair are starting to steady the ship and push Jharkhand forward.

Jharkhand are inching closer to the three-figure mark. Kumar Kushagra is the star, unbeaten on 87 off 97 with six boundaries and four towering sixes, anchoring the innings beautifully.

Skipper Ishan Kishan fell for a quick 21, caught and bowled by Aparajith, but Anukul Roy is keeping the momentum alive, unbeaten on 27 from 36. Jharkhand look set to reach 100 with this steady partnership.

Kumar Kushagra is right in the zone now. He’s moved to 134 off 132, batting with control and confidence, holding the innings together and putting Jharkhand firmly on track as this knock keeps growing.

Jharkhand finish with a strong 311 for 7 against Kerala, built around a superb unbeaten knock from Kumar Kushagra. He held the innings together from start to finish, soaking up the pressure early and accelerating later to guide Jharkhand to a commanding total.

Kerala are off to a lively start. Sanju Samson is already in the groove, unbeaten on 20 from 23, picking his moments and finding the gaps. At the other end, skipper Rohan S Kunnummal has come out flying, racing to 21 off just 14 with four boundaries. No wickets down, positive intent early, and Kerala are setting the tone in this chase.

Kerala are absolutely dominating the chase! Sanju Samson is cruising unbeaten on 47 off 44 with seven crisp boundaries, but it’s skipper Rohan S Kunnummal who’s stealing the show, a blazing 91 off just 52 balls, smashing six boundaries and nine massive sixes at a strike rate of 175. Kerala look unstoppable as this partnership races them toward victory.

Chasing 312, Kerala need just 118 more runs to win, and their openers are absolutely dominating. Sanju Samson is unbeaten on 75 off 67, with seven boundaries and three sixes, while skipper Rohan S Kunnummal is blazing at 116 off 71, smashing eight fours and ten massive sixes. Kerala are in complete control, cruising toward a commanding victory.

Kerala are almost there, and the atmosphere feels electric. Rohan S Kunnummal’s blazing knock finally comes to an end, 124 off 78, packed with boundaries and towering sixes, but the damage is well and truly done.

Sanju Samson is right at the doorstep of a century, unbeaten on 96 off 87, calm, classy, and completely in control. B Aparajith has joined him and is ticking along nicely, making sure there are no late jitters. Kerala can smell the finish line now.

Sanju Samson lights up the chase with a brilliant century, bringing it up in just 90 deliveries. Kerala are cruising now, needing only 64 more runs with a whopping 18 overs still left. This is total control from Kerala, with Samson right at the heart of it.

Kerala defeated Jharkhand by eight wickets, wrapping up the chase in style. Vishnu Vinod and B Aparajith calmly finished things off after the heavy lifting had already been done by Sanju Samson and Rohan S Kunnummal, both of whom struck commanding centuries. A dominant batting display from start to finish, and Kerala never let Jharkhand back into the contest.

That’s a wrap! We’ll be back with another live blog soon, until then, bye bye.