ROI is in command of the Irani Cup thanks to the all-around performance of Saurabh Kumar.
ROI is in command of the Irani Cup thanks to the all-around performance of Saurabh Kumar. Saurabh Kumar hit a beautiful fifty and then came back to take two wickets as the Rest of India team tightened their grip on Saurashtra on day 2 of their Irani Cup match on Sunday. After Sarfaraz Khan dominated the first day with a hundred, Saurabh added 71 runs with Jayant Yadav (37 runs) for the seventh wicket. This brought ROI nearer to the 350 mark.
Saurabh’s magic and the Saurashtra charm
Saurabh’s innings helped ROI get a 276-run lead over Saurashtra in the first innings. The 29-year-old from Uttar Pradesh then came back and got rid of both of Saurashtra’s openers, Harvik Desai (20) and Snell Patel (16), giving ROI more control of the match.
At the end of the 17th over, Chirag Jani (3 runs) and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (8 runs) were at the crease. Saurashtra, the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy Champions, were still 227 runs behind. However, Chetan Sakariya, a left-handed fast bowler, gave Saurashtra a glimmer of hope when he took five wickets and helped them get ROI out for 374 in 110 overs. The 24-year-old took four wickets in addition to the one he took on the first day. This was after Chirag Jani had taken out Hanuma Vihari (82) and Sarfaraz (138), who had been batting the evening before.
ROI innings and Sakariya’s game
After winning the first day, ROI started the second day with 205 runs and three wickets. Captain Vihari and century-maker Sarfaraz batted for more than an hour and added 33 more runs to their previous score. But they both left quickly after each other. This was thanks to Jani’s incredible spell.
In his first over, Jani had Hanuma caught by Harvik Desai and then caught Sarfaraz in front of the wicket. This put ROI at 239 for 5 after 65 overs.
After that, it was all Sakariya. First, he drew Srikar Bharat (12 runs off 44 balls) with a full delivery after going around the wicket. Harvik Desai caught the ball, showing him the way out.
After that, Jayant and Saurabh put up 71 runs together. Then, Sakariya got rid of Jayant with another full delivery outside the off stump. The 24-year-old pacer then got a top-edge from Saurabh’s blade. Saurabh tried to pull even though he wasn’t in the right place, but Snell Patel caught him.
Sakariya then got his fifth wicket when he sent Mukesh Kumar back. Prerak Mankad made a spectacular catch by diving across the gully area to get the ball. Kuldeep Sen was the last player to bat.
More on ROI vs. Saurashtra
After Saurashtra’s batters did a terrible job in the first innings, a lot was expected of them. Hence, Desai and Patel, who batted first, did well against the new ball from Mukesh Kumar and Kuldeep Sen.
Saurabh, a left-handed spinner who didn’t bowl in the first innings, made things hard for the batters when he came on in the 11th over. He bowled four overs with no runs, which was enough to get both openers disappointed.
Mayank takes a ball hit!
Before Saurashtra’s second innings, a throw hit Mayank Agarwal on the head. He had to be rushed to the hospital for a precautionary scan. Mayank was on his way to his fielding position when one of the other fielders threw the ball high, and it hit him right on the head.