Sai Kishore rules again as TN thrashes Saurashtra to enter semis
As a result, TN became the first team to enter the semi-final this season, which will be played on March 2.
The victorious Tamil Nadu team after its thumping win over Saurashtra
COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu skipper R Sai Kishore stole the spotlight, this time with the ball, as his four-wicket haul helped his side thrash Saurashtra by an innings and 33 runs on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal here on Sunday.
As a result, TN became the first team to enter the semi-final this season, which will be played on March 2.
Resuming at the overnight score of 300 for 6 in its first innings, TN managed to add just 38 more to its total, with Ajith Ram staying unbeaten on 23.
However, TN managed to take a lead of 155 against Saurahstra’s 183, thanks to some commendable knocks from Sai Kishore (60), Baba Indrajith (80) and Boopathi Kumar (65).
It was a collective effort from the visiting bowling unit, with everyone chipping in with wickets, barring Prerak Mankad, who was the most economical of the lot (1.00). Chirag Jani claimed three.
Saurashtra began its second innings on a nervous note, losing three wickets for 48 runs, with Sandeep Warrier getting two of its top-order batters out cheaply -- Harvik Desai (4) and Sheldon Jackson (2).
The pair of Cheteshwar Pujara (46) and Arpit Vasavada (20) managed to stitch a 55-run stand for the fourth wicket and tried to bring Saurashtra innings somewhat back on track.
However, Mohamed Ali managed to get rid of Vasavada as the score read 103 for 4, before the floodgates were opened.
Saurashtra batters thereon were all dismissed for single-digit figures. Pujara, its highest scorer in this innings and this season, was the eighth wicket to fall at 111, with Sai Kishore, the competition’s highest wicket-taker of the season, earning the prized wicket.
Eventually, the entire Saurashtra side was shot out for 122, handing the host its spot in the semi-final.
Besides Sai Kishore, who had an economy of 1.01, Warrier also provided great support in the TN bowling unit, capturing three wickets.
BRIEF SCORES: Saurashtra 183 & 122 in 75.4 overs (Cheteshwar Pujara 46; Sai Kishore 4/27) lost to Tamil Nadu 338 (Baba Indrajith 80; Chirag Jani 3/22)