Ranji Trophy | Sakariya and Dodiya hand Saurashtra treasured first-innings lead

When Chetan Sakariya went down on one knee and launched leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal over deep mid-wicket for a six, it was the defining blow in an edge-of-the-seat thriller. With that most, Saurashtra secured an important four-run first-innings lead over Karnataka on the penultimate day of its Group-B Ranji Trophy encounter on the Niranjan Shah Stadium right here on Friday.

Moments later, Sakariya was trapped in entrance — changing into Shreyas’ eighth sufferer — however not earlier than receiving a hero’s welcome from his teammates, demonstrating the importance of his knock.

That the final-wicket partnership produced 34 important runs was solely a part of the story; what really stood out was the resilience proven by Sakariya and Yuvrajsinh Dodiya. The duo batted by way of 14.3 tense overs, absorbing strain and holding its nerve when it mattered most.

Karnataka’s bowlers threw the whole lot at them, however the two stood resolute. Every single they stole, each block they provided, was met with raucous cheers from the dressing room as they stood agency on the crease — serving to their aspect attain 376 within the first essay.

Earlier, in a single day batters Arpit Vasavada and Prerak Mankad resumed with warning, steadily narrowing the deficit. However, Shreyas offered the breakthrough, trapping Mankad in entrance to finish the 66-run fifth-wicket stand. Sammar Gajjar then joined Vasavada, and the pair saved the scoreboard shifting with sharp singles and optimistic intent. But Shreyas struck once more, dismissing Vasavada and breaking the 54-run sixth-wicket alliance.

Just earlier than lunch, Dharmendra Jadeja gifted his wicket to Shreyas, and shortly after the interval, left-arm spinner Shikhar Shetty eliminated Jaydev Unadkat, leaving Saurashtra reeling at 318 for eight — nonetheless trailing by 54.

Shreyas returned to wrap up the innings, eradicating each Gajjar and Sakariya — however not earlier than the latter’s gritty hand had steered Saurashtra to the dear first-innings lead. The five-run penalty, which Karnataka conceded on the second day, additionally proved important within the dwelling aspect going previous the customer’s tally.

Karnataka ended the day at 89 for one in its second essay, stretching the result in 85, organising what guarantees to be an thrilling last day’s play.

The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: 372.

Saurashtra — 1st innings: Harvik Desai lbw b Mohsin 41, Chirag Jani b Shreyas 90, Jay Gohel (sub) c & b Shreyas 3, Arpit Vasavada lbw b Shreyas 58, Ansh Gosai c Smaran b Shreyas 19, Prerak Mankad lbw b Shreyas 27, Sammar Gajjar st Shrijith b Shreyas 45, Dharmendra Jadeja c Venkatesh b Shreyas 10, Jaydev Unadkat b Shikhar 6, Chetan Sakariya lbw b Shreyas 29, Yuvrajsinh Dodiya (not out) 13; Extras: (nb-1, b-13, lb-16, pen-5): 35; Total (in 121.3 overs): 376.

Fall of wickets: 1-140, 2-148, 3-151, 4-171, 5-237, 6-291, 7-311, 8-318, 9-342.

Karnataka bowling: Abhilash 12-4-24-0, Venkatesh 12-3-34-0, Shikhar 24-3-84-1, Shreyas 39.3-7-110-8, Mohsin 34-1-90-1.

Karnataka — 2nd innings: S.J. Nikin Jose lbw b Sammar 34, Mayank Agarwal (batting) 31, Devdutt Padikkal (batting) 18; Extras: (b-4, lb-2): 6; Total (for one wkt. in 28 overs): 89.

Fall of wicket: 1-52.

Saurashtra bowling: Jadeja 10-4-15-0, Unadkat 5-0-16-0, Dodiya 6-0-26-0, Sakariya 3-0-8-0, Sammar 4-0-18-1.