In cricket, it’s never truly over until the final delivery is bowled, the final run is scored, and the final wicket is taken. The Niranjan Shah Stadium bore witness to that on the final day of the Ranji Trophy Group B clash here on Saturday.
Saurashtra — staring down the barrel — survived a spirited fightback from Karnataka, thanks to a resolute blockathon from Sammar Gajjar and Jay Gohel, to walk away with a draw. Chasing a tricky 229 on a deteriorating surface, after the visiting team was bowled for 232 in the second essay, openers Harvik Desai and Chirag Jani began with purpose like they did in the first innings.
But with Shreyas Gopal’s introduction in the eighth over, the home side was pushed onto the backfoot in a flash — he first dismissed Harvik and then Chirag with a delivery that kept low.
Ansh Gosai fell soon after to another low delivery from Shreyas that crashed into the stumps, creating mild panic in the Saurashtra ranks. Shikhar Shetty removed Arpit Vasavada cheaply, leaving the opponent in trouble at 43 for four at tea.
Gajjar and Gohel consolidated with sensible batting. Despite the pressure from the spinners, the pair stood firm and frustrated the visiting team with a 81-run fifth-wicket stand. Given the situation, it was as good as a win.
Earlier, Saurashtra struck early when skipper and birthday boy Jaydev Unadkat sent back Devdutt Padikkal in the third over. Karun Nair and R. Smaran followed soon after, the former to Dharmendra Jadeja and the latter to Unadkat.
Mayank Agarwal and K.L. Shrijith steadied the innings with a 40-run association, before the former became Jadeja’s second victim.
Shreyas and Shrijith followed soon after, both falling to Yuvrajsinh Dodiya. When Shikhar Shetty left, Karnataka was struggling at 180 for eight. However, a 51-run ninth-wicket alliance between M. Venkatesh and Mohsin Khan helped the visitors post a competitive total. But it was Saurashtra which walked away with the honours in a contest that was gripping from day one.
The scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: 372.
Saurashtra — 1st innings: 376.
Karnataka — 2nd innings: S.J. Nikin Jose lbw b Sammar 34, Mayank Agarwal c Prerak b Jadeja 64, Devdutt Padikkal c Harvik b Unadkat 19, Karun Nair lbw b Jadeja 8, R. Smaran c Prerak b Unadkat 10, K.L. Shrijith lbw b Dodiya 31, Shreyas Gopal c Ansh b Dodiya 3, Shikhar Shetty b Jadeja 3, M. Venkatesh c Vasavada b Dodiya 28, Mohsin Khan st. Harvik b Gajjar 17, Abhilash Shetty (not out) 1; Extras: (b-12, lb-2): 14; Total (in 74.2 overs): 232.
Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-96, 3-111, 4-124, 5-164, 6-169, 7-176, 8-180, 9-231.
Saurashtra bowling: Jadeja 28-7-79-3, Unadkat 14-2-49-2, Dodiya 15.2-3-40-3, Sakariya 8-0-25-0, Gajjar 8-1-25-2, Ansh 1-1-0-0.
Saurashtra — 2nd innings: Harvik Desai c Abhilash b Shreyas 13, Chirag Jani b Shreyas 15, Sammar Gajjar (not out) 43, Ansh Gosai b Shreyas 2, Arpit Vasavada c (sub) Aneesh b Shikhar 2, Jay Gohel lbw b Mohsin 41, Prerak Mankad (not out) 4; Extras: (b-4, lb-4): 8; Total (for five wkts. in 43 overs): 128.
Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-36, 3-40, 4-43, 5-124.
Karnataka bowling: Abhilash 3-1-2-0, Shikhar 15-4-40-1, Shreyas 15-1-43-3, Mohsin 9-2-30-1, Venkatesh 1-0-5-0.
Published – October 18, 2025 10:28 pm IST
