Cheteshwar Pujara’s hard-fought half-century (91) came to an end as Andhra scored a 150-run win over Saurashtra in the sixth round Ranji Trophy match at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Friday. , 146b, 11×4) was in vain.
While the knockout secured his spot, Saurashtra’s first loss jeopardized the top spot. In Elite Group B he scored 26 points and still leads his three-way race as second-placed Maharashtra take on his third-placed Mumbai on the final lap.
On the final day he went 10 to 1 in the 343 lap chase, Saurashtra was upset early on as Pujara sat down to save his team. After in the first innings of the second day he was cast with his 5 by Andhra Pacer Nitish Kumar, Pujara spent his next two mornings batting his sessions dedicated to the venue’s practice net. The dismissal of night guard Chetan Sakarya put Pujara center stage in the day’s seven overs. Concerned Saurashtra fans were quick to express their anticipation for a Gabba 2021 repeat when Pujara emerged from her dressing room.
Pujara raised his hopes for Saurashtra with a goal in the 30th minute alongside Sheldon Jackson. He was perfectly positioned to counter lengths against one-time foe Nitish. Nitish tried to net again from a nearby fielder. A signature shot from Pujara cut through the center of the goal, crowing his square through Nitish and sending Andorran captain Hanuma Vihari back into the spin. Lalith Mohan and Shoaib Khan scored the middle order within 23 overs on either side of the lunch, while Pujara smashed the overs with a series of fours and effective running.
Shortly after he scored 12,000 in his second session in India. Pujara, who ran in top-flight cricket, hit a fuller delivery straight from Shoaib to a short mid-wicket fielder. Lalith then cast Dharmendra Singh Jadeja for his 6 wickets and put the hosts together for 192 to tie the match. The left-arm spinner finished the match 129-11 where he finished on the count and was named Most Valuable Player.
Andhra will host Assam next week, while Saurashtra will travel south to meet Tamil Nadu in Chennai. Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s long-awaited comeback match will be more than a fitness test phase for himself and Saurashtra.
THE SCORES
Andhra — 1st innings: 415
Saurashtra — 1st innings: 237.
Andhra — 2nd innings: 164 for seven decl.
Saurashtra — 2nd innings: Harvik Desai c & b Lalith 0, Chirag Jani c Gnaneshwar b Shoaib 22, Chetan Sakariya b Lalith 12, Cheteshwar Pujara c (sub) Rasheed b Shoaib 91, Sheldon Jackson b Lalith 24, Arpit Vasavada b Rayudu 7, Samarth Vyas c Shoaib b Lalith 17, Prerak Mankad c Bhui b Lalith 1, Jaydev Unadkat lbw b Shoaib 4, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja b Lalith 4, Yuvrajsinh Dodiya not out 0; Extras: (b-4, lb-3, wd-2, nb-1) 10; Total (all out 56.2 overs): 192
Andhra bowling: Lalith 22.3-3-58-6, Shoaib 11-1-54-3, Prithvi Raj 12-4-33-0, Nitish 5-1-18-0, Rayudu 6-0-22-1.