Ranji Trophy Final Ends In A Draw; Saurashtra Crowned As Champions For The First Time

Saurashtra cricket team have won their maiden Ranji title, having declared champions in Rajkot after taking a lead of 44 runs on the fifth day. In reply to hosts’ total of 425, Bengal fell short by 44 runs on the final day which handed their opposition a firm grip on the match. It was the first time Saurashtra lifted their title after losing to Mumbai in the final in the past decade on both the occasions.

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Even though 70 overs were left on the last day after Bengal innings came to a close, it wasn’t enough for them to bowl out Jaydev Unadkat’s men. At the end of the 34th over, the captains of both sides shook hands, deciding that they had enough. According to the original rules, if the final fixture of the first-class competition is heading for a draw, the winner is decided basis the first-innings lead.

Complete team efforts give Saurashtra their first title:

A century from Arpit Vasavada and half-centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara, Avi Barot, and Vishvaraj Jadeja inspired the home side to 425 in their first innings. A complete bowling effort enabled them to dismiss Bengal for 381 with skipper Unadkat and Prerak Mankad taking two each while Dharmendrasinh Jadeja took three. In 34 overs, Saurashtra lost four wickets. However, the skipper from either outfit decided to call it off.

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