Ranji Trophy 2019-20: Semi-finals – Day 5: Round Up

Unadkat scalped a seven-wicket haul including the prized wickets of Parthiv Patel and Chirag Gandhi to single-handedly steer Saurashtra into the final.

Published - 04 Mar 2020, 16:12 IST | Updated - 04 Mar 2020, 16:12 IST

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The semi-finals of Ranji Trophy 2019-20 culminated with Saurashtra paving their way into the final of the tournament after thrashing Gujarat by 92 runs. After being put to bat first by Gujarat, Saurashtra amassed 304 runs on the board on the back of Sheldon Jackson’s impressive century. Jackson stitched a vital 103-run knock when no other batsman was able to stick at the crease for a prolonged period of time. Arzan Nagwaswalla‘s five-wicket haul curbed Saurashtra’s run-flow but Jackson seemed unfazed by his spell.

Gujarat retaliated in their first innings by amassing 252 runs on the board due to half-centuries by Rujul Bhatt and Chintan Gaja. However, Saurashtra were successful in establishing a formidable lead over Gujarat by gathering a total of 274 runs in the second innings. Arpit Vasavada’s 139 proved vital for Saurashtra as they attained a lead of 326 runs. Vasavada was also adjudged Man of the Match for his heroics with the bat.

Coming on to Gujarat’s run-chase in the second innings, it was Jaydev Unadkat’s lethal bowling spell who decimated their hopes of cruising into the final. Unadkat struck in the initial overs to send the opening pair of Samit Gohel and Priyank Panchal to the pavilion. Bhargav Merai and Dhruv Rabal were also shown the exit door and it looked like a cakewalk for Saurashtra to book their place in the final.

Jaydev Unadkat’s seven-wicket haul derails Gujarat

However, skipper Parthiv Patel rose to the occasion and stitched a brilliant 93-run knock to save Gujarat from a batting debacle. He was also assisted by Chirag Gandhi, who scored 93 runs off 139 deliveries to save Gujarat’s ship from sinking. But Saurashtra’s skipper left Parthiv Patel and Co. reeling with his fiery spell on the final day. The pacer etched his name into the record books by scalping 65 wickets–most by a pacer– in the history of Ranji Trophy.

Bengal also booked the final berth after defeating Karnataka on Day 3 and hence, they will lock horns with Saurashtra for the title in the final starting from March 9. Bengal will be hoping to incorporate Wriddhiman Saha and Mohammed Shami into their squad for the final while Saurashtra will be eager to accommodate Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja into their lineup. The final of the Ranji Trophy 2019-20 is slated to take place at Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot.