DLF League

Thursday 13, November 2008

Following wins for Mumbai and Punjab yesterday, Saurashtra ease to victory in the second round of the Ranji Trophy Super League.



GROUP A

Saurashtra v Orissa at Rajkot
Career best figures of 5-44 for 19-year-old all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja helped condemn Orissa to an innings defeat on the last day at Rajkot. Orissa began the day knowing that they needed to bat out the entire day in order to save the game, and a series of stubborn partnerships from their top-order frustrated the Saurashtra attack for much of the day. But Saurashtra’s bowlers stuck to their task with admirable discipline, and crucially never allowed any of the visiting batsmen to settle. With no large innings to build their defence around, Orissa eventually capitulated in the 86th over, thanks primarily to some constricting left-arm spin bowling from Jadeja and Rakesh Dhurv, who picked up two crucial top-order wickets, including the dangerous Niranjan Behera for 42. With a batting line-up full of runs and their two spinners on fine form, Saurashtra look genuine contenders for honours this season.

Saurashtra 620-4dec (CA Pujara 302*, RA Jadeja 232*); 302 (SS Das 76, SV Sehgal 64, S Biswal 62; SP Jobanputra 4-56, KR Makvana 4-142) & 234 (BS Pati 44; RA Jadeja 5-44).

Saurashtra won by an innings and 84 runs.
Points: Saurashtra 6, Orissa 0


Hyderabad v Delhi at Hyderabad
This match wound its way to the inevitable stalemate on day four as Hyderabad opted for batting practice against a frustrated Delhi attack. Resuming on 16-0, Hyderabad openers Tirumalsetti Suman (52) and Dwaraka Ravi Teja (113*) put on 107 for the first wicket, before Mithun Manhas trapped Suman lbw with a big turning off-break. Manhas went on to snare two more wickets in quick succession to briefly spark hopes of an improbable Delhi victory, but Hyderabad captain Arjun Yadav’s resolute 54 ensured that the match ended honours even.

Hyderabad 334 (SA Pai 130, Abhinav Kumar 76; P Sangwan 4-86) & 230-3 (DB Ravi Teja 113*, AS Yadav 54*, TS Suman 52; M Manhas 3-52); Delhi 284 (P Bisht 78, A Chopra 51; Ashwin Yadav 6-52).

Match drawn.
Points: Hyderabad 3, Delhi 1



GROUP B

Baroda v Uttar Pradesh at Vadodara

Uttar Pradesh survived a late scare to earn a draw and three points on day four at Vadodara. After Rakesh Solanki had made his second score of 71 in the match, Baroda subsided to 314 all out, but scented unlikely victory as Uttar Pradesh were reduced to 97-6, thanks to three wickets from Salim Veragi. However, 45 from captain Mohammad Kaif steadied the ship allowing the visitors to walk away with a credible draw.

Baroda 235 (RK Solanki 71; P Kumar 5-71) & 314 (SS Parab 67, RK Solanki 71; PP Chawla 4-122); Uttar Pradesh 286 (TM Srivastava 79, M Kaif 51, P Kumar 50; IK Pathan 6-85) & 151-6 (SY Veragi 3-57).

Match drawn
Points: Uttar Pradesh 3, Baroda 1


Karnataka v Tamil Nadu at Bangalore

A battling performance on day four saw Karnataka secure a hard-fought draw at Bangalore. Having spent the first three days on top, Tamil Nadu were unable to force the win that their first innings deserved as the Karnataka top six all passed 20. Opener KB Pawan was the mainstay of the home side’s rearguard and, whilst the rest of the top order could not build on solid starts, a half-century from 19-year-old Manish Pandey put an end to any thoughts of a late collapse. Ravichandran Ashwin was the only bowler to consistently threaten on a frustrating day for the visitors.

Tamil Nadu 531 (S Vidyut 193, AB Karthik 149); Karnataka 267 (C Raghu 76; C Suresh 4-58) & 269-4 (KB Pawan 84, M Pandey 57; R Ashwin 3-71).

Match Drawn
Points: Tamil Nadu 3, Karnataka 1


Maharashtra v Andhra at Nasik

Half centuries from Prasad Reddy and Bodapati Sumanth ensured that the game between Maharashtra and Andhra ended in a draw. There were no major shocks on day four at Nasik as Andhra batted conservatively, and the home side’s bowling attack found little assistance from a placid pitch. Digambar Waghmare bowled intelligently and patiently to record figures of 2-33 from his 18 overs but it wasn’t enough to force a positive result.

Andhra 348 (HH Watekar 142; SM Fallah 6-102) & 210-5dec (LNP Reddy 53, Sumanth 58*); Maharashtra 391 (HH Khadiwale 103, RU Bhosale 77, KM Jadhav 63, AJ Shrikhande 59; M Suresh 4-75) & 27-0.

Match Drawn
Points: Maharashtra 3, Andhra 1