Cricket may be a game of bat and ball, but moments of fielding brilliance often leave an unforgettable mark. Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final was one such occasion as Kerala’s Rohan Kunnummal pulled off a breathtaking catch to dismiss Akshay Karnewar, turning the tide in his team’s favour. It was the kind of moment that makes you question reality.
Vidarbha, looking to extend their first-innings total, saw Karnewar attempt a crisp drive off Jalaj Saxena’s first ball of the 111th over. The ball was racing off the bat, but Kunnummal, stationed at short cover, had other plans.
In an instant, he launched himself full stretch to his left, plucking the ball mid-air with one hand. Defying gravity, he hung in the air just long enough to complete a catch that left players and fans stunned.
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Remarkably, this wasn’t Kunnummal’s first game-changing contribution. On Day 1, he had already made his presence felt by running out Karun Nair for 86, just when the seasoned batter was threatening to reach a century. Now, on Day 2, he struck again, proving that his fielding could be as impactful as a match-winning knock.
Rohan Kunnummal at it again 🙌
After the brilliant run out of Karun Nair, he pulls off a fantastic catch to dismiss Akshay Karnewar 🔥#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/up5GVaflpp pic.twitter.com/RG0K3Jcmax
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 27, 2025
Vidarbha, who began the day at a solid 254/4, aimed to pile on the runs, but regular wickets kept pegging them back. Kunnummal’s catch ensured the momentum stayed with Kerala, as Vidarbha were eventually bowled out for 379, with Danish Malewar’s gritty 153 off 285 balls being the highlight of their innings.
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However, as Kerala took the field with hopes of a strong reply, their aspirations were dented early. Vidarbha’s pacer Darshan Nalkande struck twice within the first 2.3 overs, removing both openers—Akshay Chandran and Kunnummal. At 14/2, Kerala suddenly found themselves in trouble, and their fielding hero was back in the pavilion far sooner than he would have liked.
