Ranji Trophy 2020: Day 5 Of Final Set To Be Played In Empty Stadium

The first victim to be on the receiving end of Corona Virus in Indian Cricket is Ranji Trophy Final, as the last day of the grand event set to be played in empty stadiums due to the breakout of the deadly virus. The new step was taken after the statement from sports ministry on Thursday.

Amidst the threats of Coronavirus, the IPL and the India vs South Africa ODI series might also be played as closed-door events. It might hurt revenues of broadcasters and the board but only two options seem to be available at the moment are postponement of games or playing in front of the empty stands.

“No public will be allowed on the final day,” BCCI General Manager (cricket operations) Saba Karim told PTI. “Only the players, match officials and media are allowed.”

Majumdar key for Bengal:

As far as the match is concerned, Anustup Majumdar stood between Saurashtra and Ranji Trophy title with a defiant 58 not out as the final entered a tantalising final day with the visitors needing 72 runs more. Bengal ended the fourth day at 354/6 as Majumdar added 91 runs for the unbroken seventh-wicket stand with Arnab Nandi (28* off 82 balls).

The lower-order batsman Nandi showed a lot of courage despite getting hit on the finger by Jaydev Unadkat’s delivery. Majumdar, who had bailed Bengal out of a precarious position in the quarter as well as semifinal, was the saviour again and got much-needed support from Nandi as the duo batted out the entire evening session to keep the match evenly poised going into day five.

Earlier, resuming the day at 134/ 3, Sudip Chatterjee (81 off 241) and Wriddhiman Saha (64 off 184) kept Bengal’s fight going with a 101-run partnership, consuming 49 overs in the process.

All in all, an interesting day is ahead with both teams are in the touching distance of lifting the title.