Saurashtra Coach, Sitanshu Kotak Hopeful Of Jadeja Getting Fit For Semi-Final Tie
Photo credits: ESPNcricinfo

Saurashtra missed their key player, Ravindra Jadeja in the quarterfinal tie against Baroda due to a side strain.

Jadeja seems to be fit for the game when he was practicing with the team in the nets at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium but could not make it to the playing XI.

Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is expected to be fit for the semifinal.

Saurashtra coach, Sitanshu Kotak, is hopeful that the all-rounder will be fit the semi-final tie against Andhra Pradesh and said,

“Jadeja is very keen to play and if he feels that he is comfortable to bat, we would make him play the semi-final. We have struggled a bit with injuries this year. Sheldon Jackson got injured and Robin (Uthappa) is struggling with his ankle.”

Jadeja’s blow came at a wrong time to the team, but it managed to defeat Baroda in the quarterfinal tie.

After taking a surprising decision to bowl first, Saurashtra made a good start and in no time, shortened Baroda to 105/7.

Krunal Pandya and Soaeb Tai came to team’s rescue and stretched the score par 200.

Pandya’s wicket in the 44th over-worked in Saurashtra’s favour and Baroda could manage 45 runs after his dismissal, which could have been much more had Pandya were the crease.

Cheteshwar Pujara, Team India, Puja Pabari, Expecting Baby, South Africa Vs India
Cheteshwar Pujara has led Saurashtra to the semifinal of the tournament. Photo Credit: BCCI.

The Cheteshwar Pujara led side too had difficult times in the middle but in the end, finished the chase with three wickets in hand.

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Saurashtra will now face Andhra Pradesh in the semifinal, who defeated heavyweight Delhi in the quarterfinal.

Andhra Pradesh (AP) are yet to lose a game in the tournament and have won all the seven contests they have played till now.

Kotak also rated AP as a good side and called it a good setup,

“Andhra are a good side. I have been watching them for the last 2-3 years and they have been doing really well. They have a good setup. They are surely the better side in the tournament,” he said.

Saurashtra will face Andhra Pradesh in the second semifinal on Sunday (February 25) at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.

Before that, the first semifinal will take place between Karnataka and Maharashtra on February 24 at the same venue.

The winning teams of both the semifinals will lock horns in the final on February 27.

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