Ahmedabad, December 24, 2025: In a commanding performance at the Gujarat College Ground in Ahmedabad, Kerala posted a massive total of 348/8 in their Elite Group A Vijay Hazare Trophy clash against Tripura on Wednesday, setting up a strong position in the 50‑over domestic tournament.
The match, part of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025‑26 opening round, showcased seasoned campaigners and rising talents alike as Kerala seized the initiative with an emphatic batting display.
Vishnu Vinod Shines with Unbeaten Century
The highlight of Kerala’s innings was a superb unbeaten century by Vishnu Vinod, who scored 102 not out off 62 balls, accelerating the team’s innings with authority and composure. Vinod, a middle‑order batter, displayed match awareness and power hitting as he struck six sixes and nine fours, putting Tripura’s bowling attack under pressure throughout his stay at the crease.
Vinod’s knock came after Kerala captain Rohan S Kunnummal laid a strong foundation at the top. Kunnummal was in sublime touch, scoring 94 runs from 92 balls, anchoring the innings and setting a base for the middle order to launch from. His innings featured controlled aggression, rotating strike where needed and timing his big hits well to keep Kerala on track for a big total.
Support from Top and Middle Order
Backing up the stand‑out contributions were crucial innings from Baba Aparajith, who scored 64, adding valuable runs during a vital middle‑order partnership that bolstered Kerala’s total. Aparajith’s innings saw him steady the ship when early wickets fell and maintain momentum with smart stroke play.
In addition to the big scores, Abhishek J Nair marked his List‑A debut with a well‑compiled 21, showcasing early promise and composure against competitive bowling. The innings reflected Kerala’s depth and bench strength, which could be vital as the tournament progresses.
Tripura’s Bowling Fight
On the other side, Tripura’s bowlers faced a tough challenge against Kerala’s batting dominance. Mura Singh was the pick of their attack, claiming 3/72, displaying control and persistence in difficult conditions, while Vijay Shankar took 2/57 and A K Sarkar accounted for 2/60. Despite disciplined spells at times, Tripura struggled to break key partnerships and stem the flow of runs consistently, especially during the middle overs when Kerala’s major batting damage was inflicted.
Tripura’s Response
In reply, Tripura began their innings under pressure to chase a steep target. By the end of the morning session, Kerala’s bowlers had restricted Tripura to 59/0 in 10 overs, with openers Sridam Paul and Rajat Dey providing a cautious start. However, the visitors required a sustained and aggressive innings to keep up with the scoring rate demanded by the huge target.
Tactical Decisions and Team Strategy
Tripura’s decision to field first after winning the toss reflected their strategy to chase big targets early in the day, hoping to exploit any bowling advantage or early conditions. However, Kerala’s batting depth, coupled with disciplined bowling, turned the tables and put Tripura under pressure.
Kerala’s Balanced Team Composition
Kerala’s squad for the match featured a blend of experience and youth, with Sanju Samson included in the squad but not playing in the XI. Samson’s absence did not impact Kerala’s performance, as other players stepped up effectively. The team also gave Vignesh Puthur a chance on List‑A debut as a spinner, marking the management’s intent to balance both batting and bowling resources within the side.
The Kerala line‑up on the day included:
- Rohan S Kunnummal (c)
- Ahammed Imran
- Mohammed Azharuddeen (w)
- Vishnu Vinod
- Baba Aparajith
- Akhil Scaria
- Ankit Sharma
- MD Nidheesh
- Vignesh Puthur
- Abhishek P Nair
- KM Asif
Meanwhile, Tripura’s playing XI comprised:
- Manisankar Murasingh (c)
- Udiyan Bose
- Tejasvi Jaiswal
- Sridam Paul
- Vijay Shankar
- Swapnil Singh
- Sentu Sarkar (w)
- Rajat Dey
- Viki Saha
- Saurabh Das
- Abhijit K Sarkar
Historical Context: Kerala vs Tripura
While this season’s match is significant early in the Vijay Hazare Trophy cycle, Kerala and Tripura have shared competitive history in domestic List‑A cricket. In a previous 2025 fixture held in January, Kerala registered a comprehensive victory over Tripura by 145 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, led by Krishna Prasad’s century and strong bowling from Aditya Sarwate and Nidheesh.
This history underlines Kerala’s relative dominance in their past encounters and establishes their confidence level going into every match with this opponent. Kerala’s all‑round performance over the years has set a foundation that this current batch of players is building upon.
Impact on Tournament Standings
The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025‑26 features an expanded structure with Elite and Plate groups, bringing domestic teams from across India to compete in the 50‑over format. Teams like Kerala, with strong batting units and reliable bowlers, are expected to be serious contenders for progression into the knockout stages, especially given their performance in this opening match.
For Tripura, the task ahead in the group stage becomes steeper as they need to regroup and strategize to overcome the disappointment of a big target chase. Their bowling will need more incisive breakthroughs, and their batting unit will have to show resilience under pressure.
Individual Performances and Player Outlook
Vishnu Vinod’s innings could be a defining moment in his domestic List‑A career, particularly since he enters this tournament coming off the back of retention by an IPL franchise despite limited playing time in the previous season. His ability to score quickly and stay unbeaten in a high‑pressure pursuit bodes well for his future selections and opportunities at higher levels.
Rohan S Kunnummal also delivered a captain’s innings, balancing aggression and patience in equal measure. His leadership and batting will be crucial as Kerala navigates through group matches.
Broader Domestic Context
The Vijay Hazare Trophy itself has been a platform for many breakthroughs and records this season. Earlier on match day, other domestic teams witnessed extraordinary performances, such as Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rapid century, which etched his name in List‑A history, and Ishan Kishan’s 33‑ball hundred, among the fastest innings in the format. These feats reflect the high standard and competitiveness across the tournament.
What Lies Ahead for Kerala and Tripura
Looking forward, Kerala will aim to convert this early dominance into consistent performances as they face other elite teams like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. Bowling consistency coupled with the batting depth showcased in this match can propel Kerala up the tournament standings.
Tripura must address both batting and bowling vulnerabilities if they are to bounce back in the next fixture. Middle‑order stability and tactical bowling plans could be key areas of focus as they seek redemption in their upcoming games.
Conclusion
Kerala’s imposing total of 348/8 against Tripura in their Vijay Hazare Trophy Group A match was a testament to aggressive batting, smart captaincy, and tactical depth. With Vishnu Vinod’s century at its core and solid contributions throughout the lineup, Kerala has sent a strong message about their intent in the 2025‑26 tournament. Tripura, though competitive, will need to lift its game significantly to challenge strong teams in this fiercely contested domestic championship.
