Ranji Trophy 2018-19, Elite A, Round 3, Day 3: Jaydev hands Saurashtra crucial first-innings lead

With the innings fast crumbling, Jaydev took it upon himself to drive them forward hitting seven fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 81 off 98 as Saurashtra were bowled out for 348.

Siddarth Desai dented Saurashtra’s bid for a first-innings lead early on before captain Jaydev Shah held fort to hand his team an important lead of 48 runs in the first innings. The hosts had made crucial inroads when Siddarth removed the set overnight pair of Harvik Desai (82) and Sheldon Jackson (34).

With the innings fast crumbling, Jaydev took it upon himself to drive them forward hitting seven fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 81 off 98 as Saurashtra were bowled out for 348 right after the lunch break on Day 3 of their Ranji Trophy 2018-19, Elite A, Round 3 match against Gujarat.

With half their side back in the dressing room for 239, Jaydev found an able partner in Prerak Mankad. The duo defied the Gujarat attack as the went on to add 63 runs for the sixth wicket. The stand was broken when Rush Kalaria cleaned up Mankad on 16.

Jaydev batted well with the tail to ensure his team finished ahead. Siddarth was the pick of the Gujarat bowlers finishing with figures of 3/93 while Rujul Bhatt, Piyush Chawla and Kalaria chipped in with a wicket each.

When stumps were drawn, Gujarat were 187/1 with opener Priyank Panchal having scored an unbeaten 124 and was batting alongside Bhargav Merai (35*). They lead Saurashtra by 163 runs. Samit Gohil was the only wicket to fall in Gujarat innings after being bowled by Mankad for 28.

Brief Scores: Gujarat 348 & 187 (Priyank Panchal 124*; Prerak Mankad 1/31) lead Saurashtra 348 (Harvik Desai 82, Jaydev Shah 81*; Siddarth Desai 3/93) by 163 runs