Kerala cricket story: From the backwaters to first Ranji final

Reaching within one step of Indian cricket's domestic peak is all about planning, changing perceptions in the sporting state

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

MUMBAI: At the start of the Ranji Trophy season, few would have bet on Kerala making the final. They had grown from being South Zone's pushovers into a fighting squad, but going all the way seemed a distant dream.

Like most weaker teams, their best bet was in limited-overs where upsets are frequent because one good session or innings can change the game. Red-ball cricket is a hard grind. All aspects of your game are tested over four or five days. All-round cricket for a sustained period is a prerequisite.

Kerala, however, have beaten the odds to seal their first final in the national championship. They will face Vidarbha in Nagpur from Wednesday.

"I also underestimated. I thought Kerala will become champions in the white-ball format (first)," says Biju George, Sanju Samson's childhood coach who has been coaching in Kerala since 1997. "I used to tell the association secretary that we will keep pushing the youngsters in red-ball cricket so they get the experience, (but) focus on white ball for results. Surprisingly, it is the red ball that has given us the results, hopefully the cup too," says Biju, who heads Kolkata Knight Riders' talent scout system.

Kerala cricket's journey from the backwaters to the Ranji final is fascinating. Their challenges were different. Unlike most parts of India, football, athletics, volleyball and basketball dominated in the state.