Ranji Trophy quarterfinal: Saurashtra ends day three with slender lead over Punjab

Saurashtra was reeling at 60 for 4 in its second innings, when Chirag Jani (35 n.o., 103b, 3×4) walked out to bat.

He took a little bit of time to settle in earlier than forging a 78-run stand with captain Arpit Vasavada (44 n.o., 100b, 3×4) to make sure Saurashtra ended the third day’s play at 138-4, with a slender lead of 10 runs towards Punjab within the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal on Thursday.

After Mandeep Singh’s 91 (206b, 9×4, 1×6) guided Punjab to 431 within the first innings, left-arm spinner Vinay Choudhary (3 for 61) dominated the second session, as Saurashtra struggled to get getting in its second essay.

Enjoying a vital 128-run lead, Choudhary struck early as Harvik Desai poked at a supply which spun away from him. The ball bounced sharply and was caught by Anmol Malhotra as Desai walked again with out bothering the scorers. Vishvarajsinh Jadeja, too, fell quickly. The residence staff wanted a gradual stand, however the seasoned Snell Patel, who seemed set, was trapped leg earlier than by Siddharth Kaul.

Sheldon Jackson – considered one of Saurashtra’s reliable middle-order batters – was caught behind by Malhotra off a Vinay supply, shortly.

With Punjab tightening the noose, Saurashtra was nonetheless trailing by 63 runs and hopes had been pinned on Vasavada and Jani, who didn’t disappoint. They took singles and twos and ensured there have been no additional dents. After the preliminary wickets, the Punjab bowling division did not maintain the momentum going, thus permitting the Saurashtra batters to bounce again.

However, the visiting staff can be disillusioned to have missed out on a chance as Jani was dropped on 24 by Naman Dhir at slip.

Earlier within the day, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja claimed a fifer (5 for 109) to limit Punjab effectively behind the 450-run mark. Resuming the day at 327-5, captain Mandeep stood agency, despite the fact that wickets tumbled on the different finish with Dharmendrasinh and Parth Bhut (3 for 114) taking advantage of the floor.

Prerak Mankad, anticipating Mandeep’s paddle sweep off a Jadeja supply, moved from his station at first slip. With a dive to his left, Mankad ensured the ball caught to his left hand, thus dashing the Punjab captain’s hopes of a ton.

Soon after, Punjab misplaced two extra wickets of Vinay Chaudhary and Baltej Singh.