On a scorching day two of the Ranji Trophy Group-B clash, Saurashtra’s openers, Harvik Desai (41 runs off 104 balls, including 2 fours and 1 six) and Chirag Jani (a superb 90 runs from 148 balls, featuring 11 fours and 1 six), truly turned up the heat. Their impressive 140-run partnership illuminated the afternoon session at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, providing a strong reply against Karnataka.
Combining unwavering determination with exquisite shot-making, this dynamic duo seized control of the game, their performance signaling clear intent.
Following Karnataka’s first innings total of 372 runs, Harvik and Chirag launched Saurashtra’s reply with a positive and confident approach. They skillfully capitalized on the friendly pitch and humid conditions, which provided minimal support for the bowlers. The openers consistently found the boundaries and quickly established a comfortable rhythm.
Chirag, the aggressor in the partnership, displayed a spectacular repertoire of strokes. His fluent drives, executed with ease off both the front and back foot, along with his crisp square cuts, kept the scoreboard moving briskly and maintained constant pressure on Karnataka’s bowlers.
Karnataka Fights Back with Rapid Wickets
However, Karnataka staged a remarkable comeback, claiming four crucial wickets in quick succession, primarily thanks to their spinners. Off-spinner Mohsin Khan secured the vital breakthrough, trapping Harvik Desai leg-before-wicket. Shreyas Gopal then stepped up, first removing the dangerous Chirag Jani, and later sending back Jay Gohel (who had replaced the injured Tarang Gohel) and Ansh Gosai, both caught at forward short-leg.
Earlier in the day, Karnataka’s overnight batsmen, R. Smaran and Shreyas, attempting to accelerate the scoring, fell swiftly. Smaran became left-arm spinner Dharmendra Jadeja’s fifth victim, while Shreyas was dismissed by captain Jaydev Unadkat, who secured his only wicket of the innings.
Despite Jadeja’s impressive seven-wicket haul, a determined 47-run partnership for the final wicket between Shikhar Shetty and Abhilash Shetty ultimately propelled Karnataka to a challenging total.
With the contest delicately balanced, an exciting third day of play is eagerly anticipated.
The Match Scores:
Karnataka — 1st innings: S.J. Nikin Jose c Ansh b Jadeja 12, Mayank Agarwal c Chetan b Jadeja 2, Devdutt Padikkal b Jadeja 96, Karun Nair lbw b Jadeja 73, R. Smaran c Ansh b Jadeja 77, K.L. Shrijith c Harvik b Yuvrajsinh 5, Shreyas Gopal c Ansh b Unadkat 56, M. Venkatesh c Ansh b Jadeja 0, Shikhar Shetty c Unadkat b Samar 41, Mohsin Khan c Ansh b Jadeja 1, Abhilash Shetty (not out) 2; Extras (nb-1, b-5, lb-1): 7; Total (in 117.3 overs): 372.
Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-26, 3-172, 4-195, 5-214, 6-324, 7-324, 8-324, 9-325.
Saurashtra bowling: Unadkat 20-3-55-1, Chetan 15-3-29-0, Jadeja 42-9-124-7, Chirag 3-1-5-0, Prerak 3-1-14-0, Yuvrajsinh 23-3-90-1, Samar 11.3-0-49-1.
Saurashtra — 1st innings: Harvik Desai lbw b Mohsin 41, Chirag Jani b Shreyas 90, Jay Gohel c & b Shreyas 3, Arpit Vasavada (batting) 12, Ansh Gosai c Smaran b Shreyas 19, Prerak Mankad (batting) 20; Extras (b-2, lb-8, pen-5): 15; Total (for four wkts. in 60 overs): 200.
Fall of wickets: 1-140, 2-148, 3-151, 4-171.
Karnataka bowling: Abhilash 7-3-14-0, Venkatesh 7-2-24-0, Shikhar 15-2-58-0, Shreyas 17-2-51-3, Mohsin 14-0-38-1.