Saurashtra win maiden Ranji Trophy
Saurashtra have finally embraced history, burying the demons of the past, which haunted them in as many as three finals before today, to claim their maiden Ranji Trophy. Jaydev Unadkat’s side was declared the winner based on first-innings lead after the match ended in a draw against Bengal. Forced to play in an empty Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot due to the global outbreak of coronavirus, Saurashtra turned things around in the first session on the last day of the final.
Bengal, who started the 5th day on 354/6, lost their last 4 wickets for just 27 runs conceding a match-winning lead of 44 runs to the hosts.
Saurashtra, who had scored 425 all-out, in the 1st innings, were cautious enough to see through the day and lost only four wickets to ensure there were no hiccups en route to the final celebrations.
Earlier in the day, a combined bowling effort from Unadkat & Co. helped them to wrap up the Bengal innings during the morning session. Captain Unadkat started the proceedings when he caught a set Anustup Majumdar in front for 61. Majumdar’s wicket was an early setback and Bengal failed to recover from the blow. A ball later, Unadkat ran Akash Deep out leaving Bengal’s hopes in the doldrums.
Dharmendrasinh Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets, while Prerak Mankad and captain Jaydev Unadkat scalped two wickets each.
This was Bengal’s 3rd final appearance in the last 15 years. They last won the tournament way back in 1990 defeating Delhi in a rain-curtailed final. As for Saurashtra, they finally managed to get the monkey off the back in their 4th attempt.
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