Ranji Trophy 2018-19, Elite A Round 2, Day 2: Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 178 powers Saurashtra to huge lead versus Railways

Here's what happened on Day 2 of the Elite A Round 2 match of the Ranji Trophy 2081-19 season between Saurashtra and Railways at Rajkot.

India allrounder Ravindra Jadeja notched his 10^th first class century and looks set to score a double as Saurashtra ended day two of their Elite Group A Round 2 match of the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 season against Railways at 344/8 with a lead of 144 runs.

Resuming their innings at 82/4, hopes were pinned on Jadeja to resurrect the side with Anureet Singh and Ashish Yadav accounting for the top four Saurashtra batsmen. On Tuesday, at the Saurashtra Cricket Academy Stadium in Rajkot, the home side lost captain Jaydev Shah (25) early in the day as Yadav picked his third wicket.

Wickets kept falling at the other end, but that did not deter Jadeja, who smashed 16 boundaries and four sixes during his 326-ball knock. Jadeja found unlikely support in Kamlesh Makwana, whose three wickets helped Saurashtra bowl out Railways for 200 in the first dig. The duo conjured a 171-run partnership for the eighth wicket, Makwana contributing 62 of those runs.

However, Harsh Tyagi ended Makwana’s 163-ball stay to end the partnership as Saurashtra close day two, with Jadeja looking dangerous at 178.

Brief scores: Saurashtra 344/8 (Ravindra Jadeja 178*, Kamlesh Makwana 62; Ashish Yadav 3/95) lead Railways 200 all out by 144 runs