Saurashtra pulled off a 59-run win over Andhra to book their place opposite Karnataka in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2017-18 final in New Delhi. Boosted by Ravindra Jadeja and Aript Vasavda’s half-centuries, the Cheteshwar Pujara-led team set the opponents a 256-run target. Dharmendra Jadeja (4/40) then helped wrap-up Andhra for 196 in the semi-final clash.
Defending 255, Shaurya Sanandia gave Saurashtra their first breakthrough with the wicket of Ashiwn Hebber with 21 runs on the board. Opener KS Bharat then stitched a 44-run stand with Hanuma Vihari before holing out to deep mid-wicket. The skipper then edged Prerak Mankad to the wicketkeeper and followed him back to the pavilion leaving the team on 71 for three. Ricky Bhui, who was looking to build the innings with B Sumanth departed looking for a single. Just as the partnership was taking shape, the middle-order bat, sent back by his partner, was run out by Ravindra Jadeja.
With DB Ravi Teja, Sumanth then looked to rebuild the innings and the duo added 59 runs for the fifth wicket until the latter looking to sweep D Jadeja over mid-wicket, was caught near the fence by substitute HR Barad. And with KV Sasikanth being adjudged lbw off the next ball, Andhra were wobbling at 150 for six. After 24 runs while Ravi Teja stood stoically at one end, Siva Kumar looking to sweep the spinner, only managed to hit the ball high in the air and was caught by Avi Barot. Later in the over, Karthik Raman too departed taking the aerial route leaving the side on 174 for eight.
Teja, who kept on losing partners, was bowled by Sanandia for 42 leaving Andhra on 190 for nine. In the next over, Kamlesh Makwana accounted for Ayyappa Bandaru to bowl the side out.
After winning the toss, Siva Kumar (2/19) had got Andhra off to a good start. The pacer bowled a tight line to keep the Saurashtra batsmen in check. He claimed Barot in his second over to leave the side on 11 for one and forced an edge from Jani in his next. Pushed on the back-foot by the pacer, Pujara and Samarth Vyas worked to revive the innings. Biding their time at the crease, the duo had put together 49 runs for the third wicket until the opener was bowled by Raman. The bowler followed up with the wicket of the Saurashtra skipper in his next to leave the team on 69 for four.
Vasavada then joined Ravindra Jadeja in rescuing the innings. The pair watchfully shaped the innings as they settled in. In a 113-run stand, they had taken Saurashtra to 182 when Raman struck again to end a flourishing partnership. While Vasavada was sent back by the bowler for 58, Ravindra Jadeja was run out in the next leaving the team on 183 for six.
Mankad then looked to carry the innings forward with the lower-order. He had built a 44-run partnership with Makwana until a fuller delivery from Bandaru uprooted the No 8 batsman’s stumps and castled D Jadeja off the next. 17 runs later Sasikanth removed Sanandia leaving the side on 244 for nine.
Mankad, who had been running out of partners then departed holing out to long on with five balls still left in the innings; ending the innings on 255.
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