Kerala, with eight points is placed sixth in the seven-team group, and will fancy its chances against Chandigarh which has slumped to defeats in four of its five matches this season.
Kerala’s qualifying hopes went up in smoke in the fifth round, after a delayed declaration on the final day saw Madhya Pradesh hold on for a tense draw. Now Kerala will be playing for pride in the last home match of the season.
Tactical blunders, poor team selection, coupled with inconsistent batting and bowling performances hampered Kerala’s progress this season. B. Aparajith and M.D. Nidheesh were the shining lights for Kerala. Rohan Kunnummal’s steady form in white-ball cricket holds promise for Kerala.
Sachin Baby, who scored a century against Madhya Pradesh, will be hoping to carry on that form and end the season on a high note. However, Kerala needs skipper Mohammed Azharuddeen and Salman Nizar to fire. Eden Apple Tom, who impressed in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy with both bat and ball, will in all probability share the new ball with Nidheesh.
Kerala has recalled the explosive Vishnu Vinod and medium pacer K.M. Asif while Ahammed Imran and Abhijith Praveen were released to play in C.K. Nayudu Trophy matches. V. Ajith and Abhishek Prathap have also been included in the squad.
Kerala cannot afford to take Chandigarh lightly as the side’s recent wins in white-ball cricket indicate. But to turn its fortunes with red ball, Manan Vohra and Vishnu Kashyap, Chandigarh’s best performers with bat and ball this season, will need more help from their teammates.
Published on Jan 21, 2026
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