A match between Rajasthan and Kerala produced exactly the kind of high-scoring Vijay Hazare Trophy contest that can turn into a thriller in the final overs. Rajasthan posted 343/7, powered by centuries and aggressive middle-order batting, but Kerala chased the target with two wickets remaining. The Rajasthan vs Kerala scorecard from December 31, 2025, shows just how narrow the margin was: Kerala finished on 348/8 in 50 overs to win by two wickets.
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Quick Summary
- Tournament: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26
- Match: Kerala vs Rajasthan, Elite Group A
- Date: December 31, 2025
- Venue: Gujarat College Ground, Ahmedabad
- Rajasthan: 343/7 in 50 overs
- Kerala: 348/8 in 50 overs
- Result: Kerala won by 2 wickets
- Player of the Match: Baba Aparajith
- Top scorer: Baba Aparajith – 126 off 116 balls
- Rajasthan’s top scorer: Karan Lamba – 119* off 131 balls (IPL)
Rajasthan vs Kerala Scorecard: Match at a Glance
The December 31, 2025 encounter was a classic 50-over chase. Rajasthan’s 343/7 would normally represent a formidable total, particularly because the innings featured a century from Karan Lamba and a powerful 86 from Deepak Hooda.
Kerala, however, refused to let the required rate dictate the game. Baba Aparajith played the central role with a superb 126 from 116 deliveries, while Krishna Prasad added 53. Late in the chase, Eden Apple Tom produced a remarkable unbeaten 40 from only 18 balls, including five sixes, to help Kerala cross the line.
The final numbers tell the story neatly: Kerala needed 344 and reached 348/8 after exactly 50 overs.
Match Result
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
| Rajasthan | 343/7 | 50.0 | Lost |
| Kerala | 348/8 | 50.0 | Won by 2 wickets |
Kerala’s successful chase came at a required scoring rate of roughly 6.88 runs per over. Their final scoring rate was even higher, at 6.96.
Rajasthan Innings: 343/7
Rajasthan got a fast start but lost wickets regularly enough to prevent the innings from becoming even bigger.
Aditya Rathore struck six fours in his 14-ball 25 before being dismissed by Eden Apple Tom. Ram Chouhan made 15, after which Karan Lamba and Deepak Hooda took control.
Lamba was the innings’ anchor. His unbeaten 119 from 131 balls contained six fours and four sixes, giving Rajasthan stability through the middle overs. Hooda, meanwhile, attacked more freely, making 86 from 83 balls, including four fours and six sixes.
That partnership was crucial. With Lamba holding one end and Hooda accelerating, Rajasthan reached a strong position before Kerala’s bowlers struck back.
Rajasthan Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Aditya Rathore | 25 | 14 | 6 | 0 |
| Ram Chouhan | 15 | 19 | 3 | 0 |
| Karan Lamba | 119* | 131 | 6 | 4 |
| Deepak Hooda | 86 | 83 | 4 | 6 |
| Mahipal Lomror | 9 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Samarpit Joshi | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 |
| Ajay Singh Kukna | 23 | 15 | 2 | 1 |
| Manav Suthar | 21 | 11 | 1 | 2 |
| Ashok Sharma | 1* | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Rajasthan’s total included 32 extras, with 26 wides and six leg-byes.
Kerala Bowling: Sharafuddeen Leads the Attack
Kerala used seven bowlers, and Sharafuddeen emerged as the most successful. He finished with 3/55 from nine overs.
Ankit Sharma claimed one wicket for 45 runs from his 10 overs, while Eden Apple Tom took one wicket despite conceding 68. Baba Aparajith also contributed with the ball, taking 1/44 in seven overs.
The bowling figures also highlight why the match remained so close. Rajasthan scored 343, but only one Kerala bowler conceded fewer than five runs per over. The visitors therefore needed their batting to compensate—and it did.
Kerala Chase: 348/8 in 50 Overs
Kerala’s chase suffered the worst possible start when captain Rohan Kunnummal was dismissed for a duck from the first ball. At 0/1, Rajasthan had an early opportunity to seize control.
Krishna Prasad and Baba Aparajith changed the mood with a substantial partnership. Prasad scored 53 from 61 balls before falling at 155/2. Aparajith continued, eventually reaching 126 from 116 balls, with 12 fours and four sixes.
His century was the defining innings of the chase, but Kerala still needed a late push.
Vishnu Vinod made 28 from 22, Mohammed Azharuddeen scored 28 from 20, and Ankit Sharma contributed 27 from 22. Those middle-order contributions kept the required rate manageable.
Then came the decisive burst.
Eden Apple Tom Finishes the Job
With Kerala still needing runs late in the innings, Eden Apple Tom produced one of the most destructive cameos of the match.
He finished 40 not out from just 18 balls, hitting five sixes and one four. His strike rate was an extraordinary 222.22. MD Nidheesh added an unbeaten two, and Kerala completed the chase at 348/8.
It was a textbook example of the changing demands of modern List A cricket: a huge platform built over 40-plus overs can be transformed by one batter attacking at the death.
Rajasthan Bowling: Aniket Choudhary Keeps Them in the Game
Rajasthan’s bowling attack was led by Aniket Choudhary, who finished with an excellent four-wicket haul.
His figures were 4/67 from 10 overs, and he repeatedly gave Rajasthan openings when Kerala threatened to pull away. Manav Suthar also took two wickets for 45 runs from his 10 overs.
Yet Rajasthan’s bowlers struggled to contain the late scoring. Akash Singh, in particular, conceded 96 runs from his 10 overs without taking a wicket. That proved costly in a match decided by only two wickets.
The contrast is striking: Rajasthan had the better individual bowling haul, but Kerala had enough batting depth to survive the pressure.
Key Moments From Rajasthan vs Kerala
1. Rajasthan’s middle-order recovery
After losing early wickets, the partnership between Lamba and Hooda prevented Kerala from gaining complete control. Their combined 205 runs formed the backbone of Rajasthan’s 343.
2. Aparajith’s century
Baba Aparajith’s 126 was more than just a hundred. It gave Kerala the innings-long stability needed after losing Kunnummal immediately.
3. Aniket Choudhary’s four wickets
The Rajasthan seamer repeatedly brought his side back into the contest. His four wickets prevented Kerala from cruising.
4. The final-over acceleration
Eden Apple Tom’s 18-ball 40* was the difference-maker. Without that extraordinary finish, Rajasthan would likely have had a much stronger chance of defending 343.
What Does the Scorecard Tell Us?
The most interesting feature of this match is that both teams batted well enough to win.
Rajasthan’s 343/7 contained two major innings, including a century from Lamba. Their total was built around consolidation followed by acceleration.
Kerala’s response was different. Aparajith supplied the long innings, while several middle-order batters chipped in before Tom provided the explosive finish.
That makes the two-wicket margin slightly deceptive. Kerala did not simply dominate the chase. They had to recover from losing their captain first ball and then navigate several pressure moments.
The scorecard also demonstrates how valuable wickets in hand can be in List A cricket. Kerala entered the final phase with enough batting resources to take calculated risks.
Rajasthan vs Kerala: Player of the Match
Baba Aparajith was named Player of the Match after his 126-run innings and a wicket with the ball. His contribution was decisive because it combined stability with enough acceleration to keep Kerala’s chase on schedule.
Karan Lamba deserves equal attention from Rajasthan’s perspective. His unbeaten 119 ensured that Rajasthan posted a total that remained competitive until the final ball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Rajasthan vs Kerala in the 2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Kerala defeated Rajasthan by two wickets on December 31, 2025. Rajasthan scored 343/7, while Kerala chased the target with 348/8 in 50 overs.
Who scored a century for Rajasthan?
Karan Lamba scored an unbeaten 119 from 131 balls for Rajasthan. Deepak Hooda also made a major contribution, scoring 86 from 83 deliveries.
Who was the highest scorer in the match?
Kerala’s Baba Aparajith was the highest scorer, making 126 from 116 balls. His innings included 12 fours and four sixes.
Who took the most wickets in the match?
Rajasthan’s Aniket Choudhary took the most wickets, finishing with 4/67 from 10 overs. Kerala’s Sharafuddeen was their leading wicket-taker with 3/55.
Conclusion
The Rajasthan vs Kerala scorecard from the 2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy is a good example of how difficult it can be to defend a huge List A total. Rajasthan’s 343/7 looked strong, with Karan Lamba and Deepak Hooda doing much of the damage. Kerala responded with a brilliant century from Baba Aparajith and a sensational late cameo from Eden Apple Tom. In the end, those final overs decided a match that Rajasthan came remarkably close to winning.
