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Sachin Baby scored 112 from 235 balls to register his 16th first-class century as Kerala recovered from an early collapse against Odisha in the Ranji Trophy on October 18, 2026. The former Kerala captain was pleased to reach the milestone but disappointed with the way he was dismissed late in the day, after edging a delivery that wicketkeeper Sandeep Dhuper caught down the leg side. Kerala closed the opening day at 245 for six.
Kerala were in immediate trouble after being asked to bat, losing three wickets for just 18 runs as Odisha’s bowlers made use of helpful early conditions. The innings remained under pressure after the score moved to 101 for five, leaving Baby with the task of rebuilding while protecting the lower order from further damage.
Baby first worked to stabilise the innings and then built a crucial partnership with Mohammed Azharuddeen. The pair added 141 runs for the sixth wicket, shifting the momentum towards Kerala after the early wickets had left the hosts vulnerable. Baby’s 112 included 11 fours and a six, while Azharuddeen remained unbeaten on 72 at stumps.
The partnership gave Kerala a platform to finish the day on 245 for six. It also ensured that the innings was defined not only by the early collapse but by the recovery led by two experienced batters. Odisha had taken regular wickets at the start, but the stand forced the visitors to wait for another breakthrough.
Baby said he was happy to have scored his 16th first-class century, but he was dissatisfied with the shot that ended his innings. He explained that he had been dismissed in the same manner three times during the season and felt he could have left the delivery instead of playing at it and getting a faint edge.
His comments reflected the fine margins involved in a long innings. After batting through difficult conditions and helping Kerala recover, Baby’s stay ended because of a delivery he believed he could have left alone. The century was still a significant contribution, but the manner of his dismissal gave him a technical point to work on despite reaching three figures.
Baby also spoke about the pitch and Odisha’s bowling. He said conditions were challenging when he came to the crease and that the bowlers did not offer many loose deliveries. He expected the surface to become easier after the first session, so he chose patience and tried to play each ball on its merit. He also noted that an uneven area at one end made strokeplay difficult.
- 112 runs: Sachin Baby’s score against Odisha.
- 235 balls: Deliveries faced during the innings.
- 16th century: Baby’s first-class hundred, with all 16 coming in the Ranji Trophy.
- 18 for three: Kerala’s score during the early collapse.
- 141 runs: The sixth-wicket stand between Baby and Mohammed Azharuddeen.
- 245 for six: Kerala’s score at stumps on the opening day.
Azharuddeen’s unbeaten 72 was central to Kerala’s recovery. His partnership with Baby helped move the innings away from a precarious position and gave the remaining batters a more manageable platform. The pair combined caution with the willingness to punish scoring opportunities as the innings progressed.
Baby praised Azharuddeen’s contribution, describing the sixth-wicket stand as crucial in shifting momentum towards Kerala. With Azharuddeen still at the crease at the close, Kerala retained the chance to add further runs when play resumed. The first-day score left the match open, but the recovery had prevented Odisha from capitalising fully on its early success.
Kerala will resume with Azharuddeen unbeaten on 72 and Aditya Sarwate on three. Their immediate objective will be to extend the total and make the most of the foundation laid by Baby’s century. Odisha, meanwhile, will look to break the remaining resistance quickly after the hosts’ middle order recovered from a difficult start.
For Baby, the innings adds another century to a first-class record built entirely in the Ranji Trophy. His own assessment was mixed: satisfaction at reaching a personal milestone, alongside disappointment that a familiar dismissal pattern had repeated itself. Kerala will take encouragement from the recovery, while Baby’s comments show that even a hundred can leave a batter focused on the chance he believes he missed.
