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Released for India’s Test squad, Jaydev Unadkat led Saurashtra to their second Ranji Trophy title win in three editions. Unadkat’s six-fer led to a collapse on Day 4 as Manoj Tiwary's Bengal got all out in the first session and set a lowly target of 12 for Saurashtra to chase down. Saurashtra won the final by nine wickets as Bengal’s wait for Ranji Trophy title continued.
Unadkat show
Once again, Unadkat and Sakariya preyed on Bengal top-order. In the second innings, Anustup Majumdar and Manoj Tiwary’s half-centuries got Bengal back in the game. At the end of Day 3, Bengal were 169/4 and trailing by 61 runs. On Day 4 morning, Shahbaz Ahmed (27) was the first to fall as he got run out. It led to a collapse. Skipper Tiwary (68) became Unadkat's first victim of the day.
Sakariya joined Unadkat and removed wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel (3). Unadkat then got the wickets of Akash Deep (1) and Akash Ghatak (4). With nine wickets down for 205, Bengal were in danger of losing the Test by an innings. But the 10th wicket partnership with Mukesh Kumar and Ishan Porel ensured that they set a target of 12 runs for Bengal. It was Unadkat who wrapped up the innings with the wicket of Ishan. He took six wickets for 85 runs.
Easy run chase
In the run chase of 12, Saurashtra lost Jay Gohil for a golden duck. Vishvaraj Jadeja finished the game with a boundary as Saurashtra lifted the Ranji Trophy for the second time.
Bengal's first innings
Earlier, Saurashtra skipper won the toss and opted to bowl first. Unadkat and Sakariya caused a collapse as Bengal found themselves struggling at 34/5. Half-centuries from Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Porel helped Bengal post 174 before they got all out. Sakariya and Unadkat took three wickets each. Chirag Jani and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja took two wickets each as well.
Saurashtra's first innings
In reply, half-centuries from opener Harvik Desai (50), Sheldon Jackson (59), Arpit Vasavada (81), Jani (60) and useful contributions down the order helped Saurashtra post 404 and take 230-run lead. Mukesh Kumar took four wickets whereas Akash Deep and Ishan Porel took three wickets each.
