RAJKOT, NOV 26: The Saurashtra-Maharashtra Ranji Trophy match at the Rajkot Municipal Corporation ground ended in a draw. Still on a high after securing the lead on Wednesday, the hosts opted to rest on their laurels as those present at the venue discovered an alternative treatment for insomnia.With a cushion of 137, Saurashtra declared their second innings at 167/9 an hour after lunch. This meant that for a result, Maharashtra had to surmount 304 in 44 overs or else the hosts had to bowl miraculously to dismiss them. But what transpired was a dull draw as Maharashtra finished the day at 100 match's star value had already been diminished with Hrishikesh Kanitkar leaving to lead the India A side. The absence made it 10 while an injury further depleted the strength. Maharashtra wicket-keeper Sanjay Khondilkar during a leg-side collection injured his finger and left the field handing his gloves to Abhijit Kale. Nothing seemed to be going right.Saurashtra batsmen entered the field with the ball intheir court and the opponent out of position. The need of the hour was attacking cricket but that proved easier said than done.Wednesday's close of play had seen a contentious decision by the umpire and Thursday morning the pattern continued. Sudhir Tanna edged a Milind Kulkarni ball to Shantanu Sugwekar in the slips. Tanna stood his ground claiming it had gone on one bounce, umpire Laxminarayan's finger went up after consulting the leg umpire for a slip catch!The expected run rush was just not coming and the hosts dreams of securing eight points seemed to be fading out. A communication error between Sitanshu Kotak and Bimal Jadeja seperated the Saurashtra flag bearers in the first innings. Kotak's change of mind after giving a call stranded Jadeja.Sitanshu soon followed when he failed to judge a flighted ball from Satyan Lande to give him a return catch.The hosts went in for lunch with 249 in their kitty. Not confident of defending the total they came in again looking for quick runs. HiteshParsana seemed the ideal man for the job. But a toe-crushing yorker from Iqbal Siddiqui injured his left foot and this hampered his moment. After a fine lofted shot to the fence of Umesh Gotkhindikar he departed when he misconneted a sweep shot straight down Surendra Bhave's throat at deep fine leg.The rest of the batsman too departed in pursuit of acceleration. Prakash Bhatt was not out on 36 when Saurashtra declared their innings at 167 win Maharashtra, needed to score at the rate of seven in the remaining overs. They were not interested in the wild goose chase and this made the proceeding slow and sedate. The match was called off after eight mandatory overs with Abhijit Kale scoring 62 of the hundred runs scored. Thus Saurashtra ended the match with five points while Maharashtra got three.The last day's proceedings were dull but Saurashtra's display this season has been an eye-opener. The much improved Saurashtra after playing Vadodara and Maharashtra have 10 points and they next face Mumbaiat the same venue from November 29 to December 3. That sure will show the extent of their improvement.SCOREBOARDSaurashtra (1st innings): 381.Maharashtra (1st innings): 244.Saurashtra (2nd innings): Sudhir Tanna c Sugwekar b Kulkarni 12, Jayesh Motivaras c Kinikar b Kulkarni 29, Sitanshu Kotak c&b Lande 26, Bimal Jadeja run out (Siddiqui) 7, Prakash Bhatt not out 36, Hitesh Parsana c Bhave b Gothindkar 10, Jagdish Dhamecha b Siddiqui 10, Manoj Parmar b Siddiqui 11, Narendra Rana b Gothindkar 1, Niraj Odedra run out 3. Extras: (10b, 2lb, 1w, 5nb) 18.Total (for nine wickets declared in 63.1 overs): 167.Fall Of Wickets: 1-45, 2-60, 3-79, 4-85, 5-116, 6-145, 7-159, 8-160, 9-167.Bowling: Siddiqui 20-3-61-2 (1w, 2nb), Kulkarni 17-6-21-2, Kanitkar 4-1-10-0, Godbole 6-0-6-0, Sugwekar 1-0-3-0, Lande 6-2-10-1, Gothindkar 9.1-0-44-2 (3nb).Maharashtra (2nd innings): Hemant Kinikar b Garsondia 9, Surendra Bhave not out 22, Abijit Kale c Odedra b Dhamecha 62.Extras: (4b, 2nb) 6.Total (for two wickets in 37 overs): 100.Fall Of Wickets: 1-12, 2-99.Bowling: Garsondia 5-1-16-1 (1nb); Rana 10-1-36-0 (1nb); Dhamecha 8-3-17-1, Odedra 8-2-16-0, Kotak 6-4-11-0.
