GrittyGajjar andGohelsafe draw forSaurashtra in opposition to Karnataka

In cricket, it’s by no means actually over till the ultimate supply is bowled, the ultimate run is scored, and the ultimate wicket is taken. The Niranjan Shah Stadium bore witness to that on the ultimate day of the Ranji Trophy Group B conflict right here on Saturday.

Saurashtra — staring down the barrel — survived a spirited fightback from Karnataka, because of a resolute blockathon from Sammar Gajjar and Jay Gohel, to stroll away with a draw. Chasing a difficult 229 on a deteriorating floor, after the visiting workforce was bowled for 232 within the second essay, openers Harvik Desai and Chirag Jani started with goal like they did within the first innings.

But with Shreyas Gopal’s introduction within the eighth over, the house facet was pushed onto the backfoot in a flash — he first dismissed Harvik after which Chirag with a supply that stored low.

Ansh Gosai fell quickly after to a different low supply from Shreyas that crashed into the stumps, creating gentle panic within the Saurashtra ranks. Shikhar Shetty eliminated Arpit Vasavada cheaply, leaving the opponent in bother at 43 for 4 at tea.

Gajjar and Gohel consolidated with wise batting. Despite the strain from the spinners, the pair stood agency and pissed off the visiting workforce with a 81-run fifth-wicket stand. Given the state of affairs, it was nearly as good as a win.

Earlier, Saurashtra struck early when skipper and birthday boy Jaydev Unadkat despatched again Devdutt Padikkal within the third over. Karun Nair and R. Smaran adopted quickly after, the previous to Dharmendra Jadeja and the latter to Unadkat.

Mayank Agarwal and Ok.L. Shrijith steadied the innings with a 40-run affiliation, earlier than the previous turned Jadeja’s second sufferer.

Shreyas and Shrijith adopted quickly after, each falling to Yuvrajsinh Dodiya. When Shikhar Shetty left, Karnataka was struggling at 180 for eight. However, a 51-run ninth-wicket alliance between M. Venkatesh and Mohsin Khan helped the guests publish a aggressive complete. But it was Saurashtra which walked away with the honours in a contest that was gripping from day one.

The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: 372.

Saurashtra — 1st innings: 376.

Karnataka — 2nd innings: S.J. Nikin Jose lbw b Sammar 34, Mayank Agarwal c Prerak b Jadeja 64, Devdutt Padikkal c Harvik b Unadkat 19, Karun Nair lbw b Jadeja 8, R. Smaran c Prerak b Unadkat 10, Ok.L. Shrijith lbw b Dodiya 31, Shreyas Gopal c Ansh b Dodiya 3, Shikhar Shetty b Jadeja 3, M. Venkatesh c Vasavada b Dodiya 28, Mohsin Khan st. Harvik b Gajjar 17, Abhilash Shetty (not out) 1; Extras: (b-12, lb-2): 14; Total (in 74.2 overs): 232.

Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-96, 3-111, 4-124, 5-164, 6-169, 7-176, 8-180, 9-231.

Saurashtra bowling: Jadeja 28-7-79-3, Unadkat 14-2-49-2, Dodiya 15.2-3-40-3, Sakariya 8-0-25-0, Gajjar 8-1-25-2, Ansh 1-1-0-0.

Saurashtra — 2nd innings: Harvik Desai c Abhilash b Shreyas 13, Chirag Jani b Shreyas 15, Sammar Gajjar (not out) 43, Ansh Gosai b Shreyas 2, Arpit Vasavada c (sub) Aneesh b Shikhar 2, Jay Gohel lbw b Mohsin 41, Prerak Mankad (not out) 4; Extras: (b-4, lb-4): 8; Total (for 5 wkts. in 43 overs): 128.

Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-36, 3-40, 4-43, 5-124.

Karnataka bowling: Abhilash 3-1-2-0, Shikhar 15-4-40-1, Shreyas 15-1-43-3, Mohsin 9-2-30-1, Venkatesh 1-0-5-0.