Dubai: Back in a region where their cricketing dreams first took shape, Eden Apple Tom and Shaun Roger made it count. While Apple Tom shared eight wickets with MD Nidheesh, Roger chipped in with a brisk 56 as Kerala chased down 326 to beat Oman Chairman’s XI by four wickets in a thrilling tour opener..How Jasprit Bumrah’s doctors saved Kerala pacer Eden Apple Tom’s career.Kerala were without some of their key names — Sanju Samson, Sachin Baby, and Vishnu Vinod — all unavailable due to IPL 2025 commitments. But the Ranji Trophy finalists, led by Mohammed Azharuddeen, got off to a strong start at Al Ameerat..Batting first, the Oman Chairman’s XI posted a challenging 326 in 50 overs, powered by a captain’s knock from Jatinder Singh. The experienced opener smashed 150 and was well supported by fellow opener Aamir Kaleem..Kerala’s fightback came through their pacers. MD Nidheesh (4/53) and Eden Apple Tom (4/65) ran through the batting, setting up the chase..Rohan Kunnummal then anchored the reply with a fluent century. Salman Nizar, continuing his strong domestic form, added a useful hand in the middle, while Roger's 48-ball 56 ensured Kerala reached the target with five balls to spare..Back to where it all began.For Roger and Eden, this tour offered more than just match practice — it was a chance to return to familiar surroundings that shaped their early cricket..Roger played junior and academy-age cricket in the UAE before moving to his birthplace, Thiruvananthapuram. His prolific domestic form there earned him state and zonal recognition..Roger not only had the skill but also the mental tenacity and understanding required to reach the highest level..In 2018, a 12-year-old Roger had spoken to Gulf News after meeting Sachin Tendulkar during the IPL in Dubai..“If I have to become a player like Tendulkar, I should be performing consistently in every match. I know I have to train hard and so I make sure to practise every day at the Desert Cubs Cricket Academy,” he said. “I was only seven when I joined this academy with this dream, and they have helped me chase it.”.Eden’s comeback trail.Eden also trained in the UAE, under the guidance of former Kerala all-rounder Sony Cheruvathoor. After returning to India, he steadily climbed the ranks, and made a memorable comeback in Kerala’s maiden Ranji Trophy final, taking three wickets in the first innings..“From a young age, he had a lovely inswinger. But he wanted the outswinger too and worked incredibly hard to develop it,” Cheruvathoor told Indian Express..Brief scores: .Kerala beat Oman Chairman’s XI by four wickets. Oman 326 in 50 overs (Jatinder Singh 150, Aamir Kaleem 73, Vinayak Shukla 29, MD Nidheesh 4/53, Eden Apple Tom 4/65) Kerala 329/6 in 49.1 overs (Rohan Kunnummal 122, Salman Nizar 87, Shoun Roger 56, Hussnain Ali Shah 4/50).