Gurjapneet Singh's six-wicket haul helped Tamil Nadu to start their Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season with a dominant innings and 70-run victory over Saurashtra in Elite Group D. His bowling helped the hosts to bowl out the visitors for a mere 94 runs in their second innings at the Coimbatore Stadium.
Saurashtra, a powerhouse in domestic cricket, was no match for Gurjapneet’s devastating bowling spell, as he dismantled their renowned batting line-up. His impressive figures of 14 overs, 5 maidens, 22 runs, and 6 wickets included key scalps of veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson, as well as crucial middle-order batsmen Chirag Jani, Arpit Vasavada, and Prerak Mankad.
The foundation for Tamil Nadu’s commanding victory was laid in the first innings when their bowlers restricted Saurashtra to just 203 runs. In response, Tamil Nadu's batsmen took charge, with Narayan Jagadeesan leading the charge with a century. Sai Sudharsan added a solid 82, while Pradosh Ranjan Paul chipped in with 49, helping Tamil Nadu set an imposing total of 367.
When Saurashtra returned to bat, they faced immense pressure. Gurjapneet struck early, dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara for a six-ball duck. Despite efforts from the ground staff to improve the pitch after heavy rain, the conditions favored Tamil Nadu’s seamers, and Gurjapneet capitalized on this advantage.
Saurashtra’s batting collapse resulted in a massive innings victory for Tamil Nadu, earning them all seven points from the match. This win marks a strong start for the team as they prepare for their next encounter against Delhi on October 18.
