Ranji Trophy: Chintan Gaja and Arzan Nagwaswalla rattle Kerala at Narendra Modi Stadium

Captain Chintan Gaja and Arzan Nagwaswalla produced potent new-ball spells to rattle Kerala in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. The pair's bowling removed much of Kerala's top order across Tuesday evening and again after tea with the second new ball.

On the red-soil wicket at the Narendra Modi Stadium they had been expected to play a supporting role to the spinners. Instead Gaja and Nagwaswalla led the new-ball attack that unsettled Kerala. The performance came in the Elite Group C section of the Ranji Trophy.

"We knew there would be help with the new ball and we wanted to maximise that advantage. We struck to the basics, bowled in the right areas and kept the pressure," said Gaja.

"I must compliment our spinners as well as they kept it tight from the other end when they were bowling. Arzan bowled his heart out and stuck to his plan. His away going deliveries created doubts in the mind of the batters and he was relentless," Gaja added.

"We kept getting wickets at right time. We were in the box seat when we dismissed both the overnight batters Sachin Baby and Vishnu Vinod before lunch. I think Sarvate’s wicket was crucial. He was batting confidently and he got out to a bad shot," Gaja said.

"I struck a nice rhythm early and I was looking to swing the ball. I am happy to get crucial wickets for the team," said Nagwaswalla.

"We will go all out tomorrow and look for a win," added Gaja.