The latest Madhya Pradesh vs Kerala scorecard from the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy produced a result that first-class cricket often delivers: plenty of time, big individual performances and no winner. Kerala made 281 in their first innings, Madhya Pradesh replied with 192, and Kerala declared at 314/5 before MP closed on 167/8. The match at Holkar Stadium, Indore, ended in a draw after four days.
Quick Summary
- Match: Madhya Pradesh vs Kerala, Ranji Trophy 2025–26
- Venue: Holkar Stadium, Indore
- Dates: November 16–19, 2025
- Kerala 1st innings: 281 all out
- Madhya Pradesh 1st innings: 192 all out
- Kerala 2nd innings: 314/5 declared
- Madhya Pradesh 2nd innings: 167/8
- Result: Match drawn
- Player of the Match: Baba Aparajith
- Top scores: Baba Aparajith 98 and 105
- Best MP bowler: Saransh Jain, 3/40 in the first innings
Madhya Pradesh vs Kerala Scorecard: Match Overview
Madhya Pradesh won the toss and chose to field at Holkar Stadium. Kerala made a steady start, with Abhishek Nair scoring 47 from 113 balls and Baba Aparajith anchoring the innings. Aparajith fell just two runs short of a century, making 98 from 186 deliveries. Abijith Praveen added 60 from 153 balls as Kerala eventually reached 281 all out in 114.4 overs.
Madhya Pradesh’s bowlers kept the scoring rate under control. Arshad Khan took four wickets for 54 runs, while Saransh Jain claimed three for 40. Their spells ensured Kerala did not turn a good start into a much larger first-innings total.
MP’s response was considerably more difficult. Saransh Jain top-scored with 67 from 129 balls, while Aryan Pandey contributed 36 from 91. Madhya Pradesh were eventually dismissed for 192 in 77.1 overs, leaving Kerala with a first-innings lead of 89 runs.
First innings scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Scorer |
| Kerala | 281 all out | 114.4 | Baba Aparajith 98 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 192 all out | 77.1 | Saransh Jain 67 |
The difference was significant but not decisive. With two full days remaining, Kerala still had to build a target that would give them enough time to dismiss MP again.
Kerala’s Second Innings Changes the Match
Kerala’s second innings was where the game moved firmly in their favour.
Sachin Baby scored 122 from 217 balls, producing the innings’ highest individual score. Baba Aparajith followed his first-innings 98 with an unbeaten 105 from 149 balls. His second century of the match completed an exceptional all-round performance.
Kerala declared at 314/5 after 84 overs, setting Madhya Pradesh a theoretical target of 404. With enough overs remaining, MP faced the challenge of surviving against a bowling attack that had already dismissed them for 192. (IPL)
Saransh Jain was again important with the ball, taking 3/61 in Kerala’s second innings. But Kerala’s declaration meant MP had a substantial amount of time to bat out the match rather than chase aggressively.
Kerala second innings
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
| Sachin Baby | 122 | 217 |
| Baba Aparajith | 105* | 149 |
| Kerala | 314/5 declared | 84 overs |
The combination of Baby’s long innings and Aparajith’s rapid century gave Kerala control. Aparajith’s 105 came at a strike rate of roughly 70.5, significantly faster than his first-innings 52.7, showing a clear shift in approach once Kerala had a lead to protect.
Madhya Pradesh’s Final Stand
MP began their fourth-innings chase knowing that 404 was a distant target. The realistic objective was survival.
They reached 167/8 in 69 overs before the match ended. Himanshu Mantri made 26 from 56 balls, while Saransh Jain again contributed with the bat, scoring 31 from 59. Sreehari S Nair was Kerala’s leading bowler in the innings, finishing with 4/51 from 30 overs.
The final scorecard therefore read:
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
| Kerala | 281 | 314/5d |
| Madhya Pradesh | 192 | 167/8 |
| Result | Match drawn |
There was no realistic prospect of MP chasing 404 at the required pace without taking enormous risks. Kerala, meanwhile, needed eight wickets but ran out of playing time. The draw gave Kerala three points and MP one point under the Ranji Trophy points system for this match.
Key Performers From MP vs Kerala
Baba Aparajith: the standout performer
It is difficult to look beyond Baba Aparajith when reviewing this match.
He scored 98 in the first innings, followed by an unbeaten 105 in the second, finishing with 203 runs across the match. He also took a wicket in his limited bowling contribution. His performance earned him Player of the Match honours.
The first-innings 98 may have been frustrating because a century was within reach, but the response was impressive. Rather than allowing the near miss to affect him, Aparajith returned in the second innings and produced a three-figure score.
Sachin Baby’s century
Sachin Baby’s 122 from 217 balls was another major reason Kerala were able to declare with a large lead. His innings consumed time while still producing enough runs to put pressure on Madhya Pradesh.
Saransh Jain delivers in both disciplines
For Madhya Pradesh, Saransh Jain had perhaps the most complete match. He scored 67 in the first innings, then took 3/40 with the ball. He followed that with another 31 in the second innings and took three more wickets when Kerala batted again.
His contribution explains why MP remained competitive despite conceding a significant first-innings deficit.
Arshad Khan’s four-wicket haul
Arshad Khan was another important figure for MP. His 4/54 helped restrict Kerala to 281 after they had spent more than 114 overs at the crease. He also took wickets in Kerala’s second innings, although the hosts could not turn those breakthroughs into a victory.
What Decided the Match?
The game was effectively shaped by three phases.
First, Kerala’s first innings: Aparajith and Praveen provided the stability needed to reach 281. MP’s bowling was disciplined enough to keep the score manageable.
Second, MP’s collapse: The home side could only manage 192. Jain’s 67 was crucial, but the rest of the batting order failed to produce enough substantial partnerships.
Third, Kerala’s declaration: Baby and Aparajith built a 314/5 declaration. That left MP needing 404, but the target was secondary to survival once wickets began falling.
This was a classic first-class contest where the team that controlled the first two innings held the advantage, but not enough time remained to force a result.
Full Bowling Highlights
Madhya Pradesh bowling
Arshad Khan was the standout first-innings bowler with 4/54, while Saransh Jain took 3/40. Kumar Kartikeya and Kuldeep Sen also contributed with the ball.
In Kerala’s second innings, Jain again finished with three wickets, taking 3/61, while Kumar Kartikeya claimed one wicket.
Kerala bowling
Eden Apple Tom produced the best bowling figures for Kerala in MP’s first innings, taking 4/55, while Abijith Praveen picked up three wickets.
In the final innings, Sreehari S Nair bowled an extended spell and took 4/51 from 30 overs. Eden Apple Tom added two wickets for 33 runs.
The bowling figures reinforce how much the match rewarded patience. Both attacks had periods of control, but neither could produce the sustained wicket-taking sequence needed to finish the opposition.
MP vs Kerala Match Scorecard at a Glance
| Category | Madhya Pradesh | Kerala |
| First innings | 192 | 281 |
| Second innings | 167/8 | 314/5d |
| Highest individual score | Saransh Jain 67 | Sachin Baby 122 |
| Match standout | Saransh Jain | Baba Aparajith |
| Best first-innings bowling | Arshad Khan 4/54 | Eden Apple Tom 4/55 |
| Result | Draw | Draw |
| Venue | Holkar Stadium, Indore | Holkar Stadium, Indore |
Earlier MP vs Kerala Encounters
The two sides have produced some substantial first-class contests in recent years.
One particularly notable meeting came in March 2022, when Madhya Pradesh piled up 585/9 declared, with Yash Dubey making a remarkable 289 and Rajat Patidar scoring 142. Kerala replied with 432/9, led by Ponnan Rahul’s 136 and Sachin Baby’s 114, and the match ended in a draw.
The 2025–26 encounter followed a similar pattern: substantial batting totals, long spells at the crease and no result. The difference was that Kerala held the stronger position throughout, taking three points from the draw.
The teams also met in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on December 29, 2025, where Madhya Pradesh produced a much more decisive result. MP made 214 in 46.1 overs and bowled Kerala out for 167 in 40.1 overs, winning by 47 runs. Himanshu Mantri led the way with 93, while Ankit Sharma took 4/38 for Kerala.
That contrast is worth remembering: the same teams can produce a four-day draw in red-ball cricket and a decisive limited-overs result only weeks apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Madhya Pradesh vs Kerala Ranji Trophy match?
Neither side won. Madhya Pradesh vs Kerala ended in a draw at Holkar Stadium in November 2025. Kerala made 281 and 314/5 declared, while MP scored 192 and 167/8.
Who was Player of the Match?
Baba Aparajith was named Player of the Match after scoring 98 in Kerala’s first innings and an unbeaten 105 in the second. He also contributed one wicket.
What was Madhya Pradesh’s highest score in the match?
Madhya Pradesh scored 192 all out in their first innings and finished their second innings at 167/8. Saransh Jain was their top scorer in the first innings with 67.
What was Kerala’s score against Madhya Pradesh?
Kerala scored 281 all out in the first innings and 314/5 declared in the second. Baba Aparajith and Sachin Baby were the major contributors.
Conclusion
The Madhya Pradesh vs Kerala scorecard from the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy reflects a match dominated by patient batting rather than dramatic momentum swings. Kerala established control with 281, MP responded with 192, and Kerala’s 314/5 declaration put the hosts under pressure. Madhya Pradesh survived to 167/8, securing the draw. Baba Aparajith’s two major innings made him the obvious standout, while Saransh Jain’s all-round contribution kept MP in the contest. The final result was fitting for a match where time, rather than talent alone, ultimately decided the outcome.
