Ranji Trophy 2018-19: Vidarbha Clinch Second Consecutive Title After Beating Saurashtra

Vidarbha clinched their back to back Ranji Trophy title as they won against Saurashtra by 78 runs. The defending champions came up with a collective performance to seal their second consecutive title. Aditya Sarwate was the hero of the final as the southpaw spinner scalped 11 wickets in the match.

Furthermore, Sarwate had scored a pivotal knock of 49 runs in the second innings. Interestingly, this was Wasim Jaffer’s 10th Ranji Trophy final and the veteran batsman has won the Ranji Trophy title on all occasions.

Vidarbha posted a competitive score of 312 runs after their captain Faiz Fazal won the toss and decided to bat first. In fact, the hosts had their backs against the wall as they were tottering at 196-7.

However, a valiant knock of 73 runs from Akshay Karnewar inspired his side to a fighting total. Furthermore, Akshay Wakhare scored a good knock of 34 runs. Saurashtra’s captain Jaydev Unadkat scalped three wickets in the first innings.

On the other hand, Saurashtra was able to match Vidarbha’s first innings score as they posted 307 in their first innings. Saurashtra’s opener Snell Patel scored a fine hundred but he was a given a second life by the standing umpire as he had the rub of the green on his side. Patel had edged the ball which was taken by the short-leg fielder but the umpiring howlers continued to amaze everyone.

However, Cheteshwar Pujara could not get going as he was dismissed for one run. Aditya Sarwate scalped five wickets in the first innings whereas Akshay Wakhare took four wickets in the first dig.

Vidharbha posted 200 runs in the second essay and Sarwate was able to rescue his team with the bat. He scored a valiant knock of 49 runs to help his side post a target of 206 runs when they were stumbling at 134-7.

On the other hand, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja scalped six wickets in the second innings for Saurashtra. However, Saurashtra could not get going in their second innings as they kept losing wickets in a cluster. Aditya Sarwate once again breathed down the neck of the Saurashtra batsmen as he took six wickets in the second dig. Consequently, he was awarded the Man of the match award.

Vishvaraj Jadeja was the lone warrior for the visitors but he could not get any support from the other end. Furthermore, Akshay Wakhare scalped three wickets in the second innings.