Saurashtra Breaks the Record for Highest Run Chase in Ranji Trophy History

Saurashtra has created history in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2018-19. The team went on to chase 372 in the second Quarter Final against Uttar Pradesh while playing at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. Saurashtra went past the record of Assam which had chased down 371 while playing against the Services at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi in the 2008-09 season.

Thus, Saurashtra has made their way into the semifinal of the domestic tournament. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh captain Akshdeep Nath won the toss and decided to bat first.

Saurashtra came with a fine collective team effort.

The hosts posted a competitive score of 385 runs in the first innings. The southpaw batsman Rinku Singh, who has played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, scored a fine knock of 150 runs. The left-hander scored 19 fours in his innings.

Meanwhile, Saurashtra’s captain Jaydev Unadkat was the pick of the bowlers in the first innings as he scalped a five-wicket haul. However, the visitors could only manage 208 runs in the first innings.

Saurashtra opener Harvik Desai, who played for India in the Under-19 team scored 84 runs whereas India’s hero of the Test series against Australia Cheteshwar Pujara could only score 11 runs. Thus, the hosts had a lead of 178 runs after the completion of first innings.

The hosts posted a score of 194 runs to give a daunting target of 372 runs to the visitors. Mohammed Saif was the leading run-getter in the second dig for Uttar Pradesh as he scored 48 runs. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja scalped four wickets in the second essay for the tourists.

Saurashtra’s openers Snell Patel and Harvik Desai provided a fine platform to the side as they added 132 runs for the opening stand. Snell scored 72 whereas Desai scored a brilliant 116 to keep his team on the right path.

Subsequently, Cheteshwar Pujara who breathed down the neck of the Australian bowlers scored a fine 67. Pujara received good support from Sheldon Jackson who scored 73 to help take Saurashtra in getting over the line.