Arpit Vasavada’s gritty 139 propelled Saurashtra to set a challenging 327-run target for Gujarat on the fourth day of their Ranji Trophy semi-final here on Tuesday.
ChintanGaja’ fiery spell had brought Gujarat back intocontention on the third day, but Vasavada’s seventh first-class hundred, andthe third this season, swung the momentum in favour of the hosts.
Courtesy his ton andhandy contributions from ChetanSakariya (45), ChiragJani (51) andDharmendrasinhJadeja (21), Saurashtra recovered from a dismal 15 for five topost 274 in their second innings.
They had a 52-runlead and hence the target set was 327. When stumps were drawn, Gujarat were seven for one with openerPriyankPanchal (0) back in the hut.
Earlier, resuming theday at 66 for five, Sakariya and Vasavada were going strong before their 90-runsixth wicket stand was broken by a horrible mix-up between the two, whichresulted in the former’s dismissal. The hosts lost their sixth wicket on 105.Jani then joined Vasavada and played the perfect second-fiddle as the hoststook lunch at 155 for six. Saurashtra’s overall lead had by then passed the200-run mark.
Post lunch, Vasavada and Jani kept frustrating the Gujarat bowlers. It was Gaja again, who provided the crucial break-through for the visitors by dismissing Jani in the 84th over.