Ranji Trophy Wrap: Despite Pujara Ton, Saurashtra Earn Only a Point vs Vidarbha
Chasing Vidarbha's huge score of 583 for nine declared, Saurashtra could manage only 309 despite being comfortably placed at 205 for two at one stage. Without enforcing follow-on, Vidarbha got some batting practice as openers Faiz Fazal and Sachin Katariya scored fifties.
Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara's 28th first-class century couldn't provide Saurashtra with a first innings lead as Vidarbha got three points by virtue of huge first innings lead of 284 runs in a Ranji Trophy cricket match.
Chasing Vidarbha's huge score of 583 for nine declared, Saurashtra could manage only 309 despite being comfortably placed at 205 for two at one stage. Off-spinner Akshay Wakhare took 5/89 in 47 overs.
The last five wickets fell for 58 runs as Saurashtra started the day at 251 for five at stumps on the third day.
Without enforcing follow-on, Vidarbha were interested in getting some batting practice as they scored 116 for two as openers Faiz Fazal (55) and Sachin Katariya (50 no) scored half-centuries.
Punjab Manage a Point vs Gujarat
Title contenders Punjab maintained their second position in the group table despite managing a single point against Gujarat in a Ranji Trophy cricket match.
A match which turned out to be a first innings contest saw Punjab get all out for 362 in reply to Gujarat's mammoth first innings total of 513.
It was match that all-rounder Rujul Bhatt would like to remember as he got five for 44 with his off-breaks after having scored a fine 150 during Gujarat innings.
With a deficit of 151 runs, Gujarat captain Parthiv Patel decided enforce follow-on trying for an outright victory which was improbable.
Nothing of that sort happened as Punjab finished at 120 for one when two umpires decided to call off the proceedings in consultation with the two captains.
Punjab remain second in the group with 19 points from six games while Gujarat with 15 from five is fourth in the table.