Kerala Ranji team with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, leader of opposition V.D. Satheesan, Sports Minister V.Abdurahiman and other dignitaries at the felicitation function held here on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan felicitated the Kerala cricket team which finished as runner-up in the Ranji Trophy at a function held in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday (March 4, 2025).
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said Kerala’s historic entry into the final was a landmark achievement and as good as a title win.
“The team put up a good fight against a strong Vidarbha team and at one stage we were on the threshold of taking the first innings lead. Nevertheless the historic entry into the final is a landmark achievement and as good as a title win. The good performance in the final should be the stepping stone for winning the Ranji Trophy next season, ‘‘ he said.
Mr. Vijayan said Kerala has been traditionally strong in disciplines like football, athletics, basketball and congratulated Sachin Baby and coach Amay Khurasiya for making Kerala a force to be reckoned with at the national level in cricket. Salman Nizar, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate also came in for special praise from the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister also assured KCA all the help from the State Government for enabling t to complete the infrastructure projects in the State. Mr. Vijayan and opposition leader V.D. Satheeshan expressed hope that the State cricketers will be in the forefront in the fight against drugs.
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman presided over the function which was attended by Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer, Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil, Parliamentary affairs Minister M.B. Rajesh and leader of opposition V.D. Satheeshan. The KCA announced that it will distribute the prize money of ₹3 crore from the BCCI to the Kerala cricket team. Apart from that KCA also announced an additional prize money of ₹1.5 crore to the Ranji team.
(eom)
Published – March 05, 2025 06:00 am IST
