Saurashtra skipper Jaydev Unadkat celebrating after picking a wicket on Day 3 in the Ranji Trophy final against Bengal. (BCCI)Ranji Trophy Final highlights Day 3 Bengal vs Saurashtra: Three years after he crushed Bengal’s Ranji Trophy hopes in the final, Arpit Vasavada once again came to haunt them at the same stage again, standing tall with an unbeaten 81 to take Saurashtra closer to their second title, here on Friday.
The Saurashtra vice-captain, whose 106 handed them a match-winning first innings lead in the 2020 final in Rajkot, once again got under the skin of Bengal, sharing two key partnerships with Sheldon Jackson (59) and Chirag Jani (57 not out).
The duo of Vasavada and Jani, who are unbroken in a 113-run partnership, stepped up the run-rate in the post-tea session, extending their first innings lead to 143. Saurashtra were 317 for 5 at close on day two in reply to Bengal’s 174 all out.
Saurashtra batters Arpit Vasavada and Chirag Jani return at the end of the 2nd day's play of the Ranji Trophy final cricket match between Bengal and Saurashtra, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (PTI Photo)
Shahbaz and Tiwari look to have a good partnership now. The duo have stitched a 23-run stand together.
Bengal 169/4
Manoj Tiwari scores 50 off 99 balls. The batter will look to continue the momentum and help Bengal post a decent total on the board.Bengal 156/4
With Anustup Majumdar's wicket, Bengal's hope of making a comeback fade away. It was Saurashtra's skipper Jaydev Unadkat who took his wicket and ended the 101-run stand between Majumdar and Tiwary.
Bengal 146/4
Fresh from his match-winning double century against Karnataka in the semifinal, Vasavada continued from where he left off and stood tall in his unbeaten knock that came off 155 balls. He slammed 11 boundaries. [Read More]
Anustup Majumdar brings up a half century in 72 balls. The batter is displaying absolute maturity as he slowly adds runs to Bengal's account. Tiwary, on the other hand is providing a good partnership.
Bengal 111/3
Manoj Tiwary and Anustup Majumdar are trying hard to hold the fort for Bengal. They are batting at 12 and 29 respectively.
Bengal 75/3
Captain at work: Jaydev Unadkat removes Sudip Kumar Gharami. Mankad takes the catch at slip.
Bengal 49/3
After losing two wickets, Bengal's Anustup Majumdar is making himself comfortable in the middle. He has struck Unadkat for two boundaries in an over.
Bengal 40/2
BIG WICKET! Sakariya does it again, this time he removes Bengal's top batsman Abhimayu Easwaran. Bowling a length ball, Sakariya tried to shape away from the batter and the keeper gets athick edge.
Bengal 22/2
After 5 overs, Bengal have put 15 runs on the board. They lost their opener Sumanta to Sakariya before Lunch on Day 3 of the game.
Bengal opener Sumanta Gupta departs after Mankad takes his catch on a Chetan Sakariya delivery. Looks like Bengal are already in trouble.
Bengal 9/1
Bengal's innings begin. Sumanta Gupta and Abhimanyu Easwaran have come in to bat. Unadkat opens with bowling attack for Saurashtra.
With Dharmendrasinh Jadeja's wicket, Saurashtra's innings end at 404. It will take blood, sweat and tears from Bengal batters to put a respectable score on the board.
Saurashtra reaches the 400-run mark. Score - 403/9
Prerak Mankad is dismissed by Akash Deep. Abhishek Porel takes the catch behind the stumps.
Saurashtra 371/9
Despite losing wickets from the other end, Prerak Mankad seems to have made himself comfortable. He is batting at 31 and will look to collect as many runs as he can before Saurashtra are all out.
Saurashtra 367/8
Saurashtra lose yet another wicket as Jaydev Unadkat is dismissed by Akash Deep.
Saurashtra 358/8
Three years after he crushed Bengal’s Ranji Trophy hopes in the final, Arpit Vasavada once again came to haunt them at the same stage again, standing tall with an unbeaten 81 to take Saurashtra closer to their second title, here on Friday. [Read More]
Good day with the bowl for Mukesh Kumar as another one bites the dust. He removes Chirag Jani who looked comfortable batting at 60.
Saurashtra 357/7
As the play on Day 3 starts, Mukesh Kumar gets the big wicket of Arpit Vasavada.
Saurashtra 323/6
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Ranji Trophy final between Bengal and Saurashtra at the Eden Gardens. The visitors have the upper edge with a first innings lead of 143 runs. Stay tuned for more updates.