Ranji Trophy 2019-20: Final, Saurashtra vs Bengal – Day 4: Review

The previous day (Day 3) of the final of Ranji Trophy 2019-20 was all about grit and determination of Sudip Chatterjee and Wriddhiman Saha. Sudip Chatterjee remained unbeaten and stayed glued to the crease at the end of the day as he stitched a steady 47-run knock coupled with 5 fours. Wriddhiman Saha, who was slotted back in the side for the final, also stuck to the crease and knitted 4 runs in 43 deliveries until the stumps on Day 3.

Resuming the play in the fourth day with their scoreboard reflecting 134/3, the Chatterjee-Saha duo continued battling on the wicket in the first session. The new ball didn’t assist Saurashtra’s bowling force as the Jaydev Unadkat-led side endured a wicketless first session. Bengal’s scoreboard reflected 218/3 with Chatterjee (77*) and Saha (55*) being glued to the crease.

Post the lunch, the duo continued its batting expedition until Chatterjee was sent back the pavilion on the score of 81. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja provided Saurashtra with a much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Chaterjee. Saha was also shown the exit door as Prerak Mankad bowled the wicketkeeper on the score of 64.

Jaydev Unadkat’s pursuit of a wicket continues on Day 4 too

After half of the Bengal side was sent back the pavilion on the score of 241, it was looking like the Abhimanyu Easwaran-led side would tumble like a stack of cards. However, Anustup Majumdar steered his side and played a brilliant 58-run knock to stabilize his side’s first innings.

Majumdar stitched a gritty knock and stayed glued to the crease for 134 deliveries while incorporating 8 fours in his knock. He was well assisted by Arnab Nandi, who amassed 28 runs off 82 deliveries and ensured that Bengal don’t suffer a batting debacle.

The Saurashtra bowling force toiled on the fourth day too along with skipper Jaydev Unadkat continuing his wicketless spree in the match. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja along with Prerak Mankad, who scalped two wickets each, emerged as the top picks amongst Saurashtra’s batting force. It will be interesting to see if Jaydev Unadkat and Co. clean up Bengal in the first session of the fifth day tomorrow.

Brief Scores

Saurashtra 1st innings: 425/10 (Arpit Vasavada 106; Akash Deep 4/98)

Bengal 1st innings: 354/6 (Sudip Chatterjee 81; Prerak Mankad 2/45)

Bengal trail by 71 runs