When Chetan Sakariya went down on one knee and launched leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal over deep mid-wicket for a six, it was the defining blow in an edge-of-the-seat thriller. With that maximum, Saurashtra secured a crucial four-run first-innings lead over Karnataka on the penultimate day of its Group-B Ranji Trophy encounter at the Niranjan Shah Stadium here on Friday.
Moments later, Sakariya was trapped in front — becoming Shreyas’ eighth victim — but not before receiving a hero’s welcome from his teammates, demonstrating the significance of his knock.
That the final-wicket partnership produced 34 vital runs was only part of the story; what truly stood out was the resilience shown by Sakariya and Yuvrajsinh Dodiya. The duo batted through 14.3 tense overs, absorbing pressure and holding its nerve when it mattered most.
Chetan Sakariya reacts after hitting a six to snatch the first-innings lead for Saurashtra.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
Karnataka’s bowlers threw everything at them, but the two stood resolute. Every single they stole, every block they offered, was met with raucous cheers from the dressing room as they stood firm at the crease — helping their side reach 376 in the first essay.
Earlier, overnight batters Arpit Vasavada and Prerak Mankad resumed with caution, steadily narrowing the deficit. However, Shreyas provided the breakthrough, trapping Mankad in front to end the 66-run fifth-wicket stand. Sammar Gajjar then joined Vasavada, and the pair kept the scoreboard moving with sharp singles and positive intent. But Shreyas struck again, dismissing Vasavada and breaking the 54-run sixth-wicket alliance.
Just before lunch, Dharmendra Jadeja gifted his wicket to Shreyas, and soon after the interval, left-arm spinner Shikhar Shetty removed Jaydev Unadkat, leaving Saurashtra reeling at 318 for eight — still trailing by 54.
Shreyas returned to wrap up the innings, removing both Gajjar and Sakariya — but not before the latter’s gritty hand had steered Saurashtra to the precious first-innings lead. The five-run penalty, which Karnataka conceded on the second day when the ball hit a helmet on the ground, also proved vital in the home side going past the visitor’s tally.
Karnataka ended the day at 89 for one in its second essay, stretching the lead to 85, setting up what promises to be an exciting final day’s play.
The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: 372.
Saurashtra — 1st innings: Harvik Desai lbw b Mohsin 41, Chirag Jani b Shreyas 90, Jay Gohel (sub) c & b Shreyas 3, Arpit Vasavada lbw b Shreyas 58, Ansh Gosai c Smaran b Shreyas 19, Prerak Mankad lbw b Shreyas 27, Sammar Gajjar st Shrijith b Shreyas 45, Dharmendra Jadeja c Venkatesh b Shreyas 10, Jaydev Unadkat b Shikhar 6, Chetan Sakariya lbw b Shreyas 29, Yuvrajsinh Dodiya (not out) 13; Extras: (nb-1, b-13, lb-16, pen-5): 35; Total (in 121.3 overs): 376.
Fall of wickets: 1-140, 2-148, 3-151, 4-171, 5-237, 6-291, 7-311, 8-318, 9-342.
Karnataka bowling: Abhilash 12-4-24-0, Venkatesh 12-3-34-0, Shikhar 24-3-84-1, Shreyas 39.3-7-110-8, Mohsin 34-1-90-1.
Karnataka — 2nd innings: S.J. Nikin Jose lbw b Sammar 34, Mayank Agarwal (batting) 31, Devdutt Padikkal (batting) 18; Extras: (b-4, lb-2): 6; Total (for one wkt. in 28 overs): 89.
Fall of wicket: 1-52.
Saurashtra bowling: Jadeja 10-4-15-0, Unadkat 5-0-16-0, Dodiya 6-0-26-0, Sakariya 3-0-8-0, Sammar 4-0-18-1.
Published – October 17, 2025 06:36 pm IST
