Journey of Saurashtra to winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2019/20

Saurashtra emerged as the new Champion of 2019/20 Ranji Trophy as they defeated Bengal on the first innings basis played at SCA Stadium, Rajkot that finished on 13^th March 2019. It was their maiden title in the prestigious tournament after reaching the fourth finals in 8 years.

Jaydev Unadkat led side started their campaign on a winning note defeating Himachal Pradesh by 5 wickets at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala from 9^th December. Himachal Pradesh captain Ankit Kalsi won the toss and decided to bat first. It was a brilliant bowling performance by Saurashtra who bowled out Himachal Pradesh for just 120 runs. Jaydev Unadkat, Chirag Jani and Prekerk Mankad took 3 wickets each.

In reply, Saurashtra could not post a big total as they were bowled out for just 141 runs. Dharmendra Singh Jadeja was the top scorer with 47 runs while Snell Patel scored 42. Thanks to a brilliant bowling spell by Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat taking 6 for 51 helped bowled out Himachal for 182. Chasing a target of 161 runs to win, Harvik Desai 46 and Mankad 47 not out helped Saurashtra win the match by 5 wickets to register 6 points.

In their 2^nd match of the tournament, Saurashtra registered an emphatic innings and 90 runs win over Railways played South Eastern Railways Stadium, Vizag. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat won the toss and decided to field first. It was a superb bowling performance as Unadkat led from the front taking 4 for 56 to bowl out Railways for 248 runs in the first innings. Replying to 248 runs in the first innings, Arpit Vasavada 134*, Pujara 69, Harvik Desai 44, Snell Patel 46, Mankad 38 and Dharmendra Singh Jadeja 66 helped Saurashtra post a massive total of 479 for 9 declare.

Jaydev Unadkat 6 for 23 led Saurashtra bowling out Railways for 141 runs in the 2^nd innings to register an emphatic innings and 90 runs win. Saurashtra registered 7 points.

Saurashtra lost to Uttar Pradesh by an innings and 72 runs in the third match of the tournament played at SCA Stadium, Rajkot from 25^th December. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat won the toss and decided to bat first.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson 57 each, Harvik Desai 54, Dharmendra Singh Jadeja 33 and Parth Bhut 38 not out helped Saurashtra post 331 runs in the first innings. In reply, Uttar Pradesh posted a massive total of 523 runs. Jaydev Unadkat, Dharmendra Singh Jadeja and Parth Bhut took 2 wickets each while Kamlesh Makvana took 3 wickets.

In their second innings, Saurashtra were bowled out for a paltry 120 runs. Harvik Desai was the top scorer with 50. It was their first loss of the tournament after winning first two matches.

Saurashtra fourth match of the tournament ended in a draw against Karnataka played at SCA Stadium, Rajkot from 11^th January 2020. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat won the toss and decided to bat first. It was a brilliant effort as Cheteshwar Pujara 248, Sheldon Jackson 161, Mankad 86*, Arpit Vasavada 35 helped Saurashtra post a massive total of 581 for 7 declare.

Jaydev Unadkat led from the front again as he took 5 for 49 in 16 overs to bowl out Karnataka for 171 in the first innings. Karnataka batted much better in the 2^nd innings as they scored 220 for 4 and match ended in draw. Saurashtra registered 3 points for 1^st innings lead.

In the fifth match, Saurashtra took the first innings lead over Madhya Pradesh played at Holkar Stadium, Indore from 19^th January. Madhya Pradesh captain Naman Ojha won the toss and decided to field first. Sheldon Jackson quickfire 186, Pujara 47, Chirag Jani 40 helped Saurashtra post 344 runs in the first innings.

Jaydev Unadkat 4 for 45, Sakariya 2, Chirag Jani 2 and Mankad 1 wicket helped bowl out Madhya Pradesh for 280 runs in the first innings.

It was a superb batting effort by Saurashtra in the second innings as Harvik Desai 115, Pujara 69, Divyaraj Chauhan 33 helped declare their innings on 256 for 9. Saurashtra almost registered a win as they took 9 wickets but were fell short of time. DA Jadeja took 4 for 51, while Mankad and Unadkat took 2 wickets each.

Saurashtra registered a thrilling 4 wicket win over Baroda played at Moti Bagh Stadium, Vaddodra from 27^th January. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat won the toss and decided to field first. On a pitch which helped spinners, Unadkat led from the front taking 6 for 34 to bowl out Baroda for a paltry total of 154 runs in the first innings.

Saurashtra struggled in the first innings as they were bowled out for 142 runs to take an 12 runs lead. Unadkat showed his class in the 2^nd innings also picking 6 for 72 to bowl out Baroda for 187. Chasing a target of 199 runs to win, Saurashtra were reduced to 113 for 6 before an unbeaten partnership of 87 runs between Vasavada and Mankad led them to a thrilling 4 wicket win.

The match between Saurashtra and Mumbai played at SCA Stadium, Rajkot from 4^th February ended in a draw. Mumbai captain Aditya Tare won the toss and decided to bat first. Dharmendra Singh Jadeja was the pick of bowlers with 5 for 92. Jaydev Unadkat did not feature in this match. Mumbai were bowled out for 262 runs in the first innings.

Thanks to Sheldon Jackson 85, Chirag Jani 84, Vasavada 46 helped Saurashtra post 335. Saurashtra bowlers struggled in the 2^nd innings as Mumbai posted 362 for 7 declare. Chasing the target 292 runs to win, Saurashtra were struggling at 83 for 7 before Jadeja and Makvana held their nerves to eke out a draw. Based on first innings lead, Saurashtra earned 3 points.

Saurashtra ended the league stage earning 3 points against Tamil Nadu played at SCA Stadium, Rajkot from 12^th February. Tamil Nadu captain Baba Aparjith won the toss and decided to bat first. Jaydev Unadkat returned to the squad and again was star of show with 6 for 73 to bowl out Tamil Nadu for 424.

A superb batting effort as 132 by Arpit Vasavada, Chirag Jani 124*, Avi Barot 82, Jaydev Unadkat 40 helped Saurashtra post a massive total of 481 for 9 declare and gain the first innings lead.

Combined Group A and Group B, Saurashtra finished fourth in points table with 31 points from 8 games.

Saurashtra took on Andhra Pradesh in the fourth quarterfinals played at Ongole from 20^th February. Being invited to bat first by Andhra captain Srikar Bharat, Saurashtra posted a competitive total of 419 runs. Chirag Jani was the top scorer with 121, Prerak Mankad 80, Vishvraj Jadeja 73, Sheldon Jackson 73 led Saurashtra to a competitive total.

It was a brilliant bowling effort by Saurashtra bowlers who dismissed Andhra Pradesh for just 136 runs in the first innings. Jaydev Unadkat 4 for 42, DA Jadeja 3 for 27 and Jani 2 for 14 were the chief destroyers.

Saurashtra was in no hurry to go for an outright victory as they posted 426 runs in the 2^nd innings. Mankad scored 85, Jadeja 60, Jaydev Unadkat 31, Vasavada 48, Vishvraj Jadeja 46, Avi Barot 54 led to such a dominating performance. Andhra Pradesh in their 2^nd innings ended on 149 for 4. Mankad and Jadeja took 2 wickets each for Saurashtra.  Basis of the first innings lead, Saurashtra entered the semi-finals of the tournament.

Saurashtra defeated Gujarat in the 1^st semi-finals by 92 runs played at SCA Stadium, Rajkot from 29^th February. Gujarat captain Parthiv Patel won the toss and decided to field first. Saurashtra openers Harvik Desai and Kishan Parmar added 62 runs for the first wicket before Gujarat clawed their way back reducing Saurashtra to 162 for 5.

Sheldon Jackson played a gem of an innings scoring 103. Chirag Jani, Mankad and DA Jadeja scored vital contribution lower down the order to help Saurashtra post 304 runs. It was a superb bowling performance by Saurashtra bowlers as they reduced Gujarat to 97 for 6. Rujul Bhatt and Chintan Gaja added 87 runs for the 9^th wicket but Saurashtra dismissed Gujarat for 252 runs. Unadkat took 3 for 86, Chetan Sakariya , Chirag Jani and DA Jadeja took 2 wickets each, while Mankad took 1 wicket.

In the second innings, Saurashtra were tottering at 15 for 5 before Arpit Vasavada 139, Chetan Sakaryiya 45, Jani 51 and Jadeja 21 helped them to recover scoring 274 runs in the 2^nd innings.

Jaydev Unadkat led from the front again by dismissing Samit Gohel, Priyank Panchal and Dhruv Raval. When the partnership between Parthiv Patel and Chirag Gandhi was going strong, Unadkat bought him into attack after tea on day 5, Saurashtra captain took the important wicket of Parthiv Patel to derail the Gujarat innings. Unadkat finished with figures of 7 for 56 to help Saurashtra reach the finals.

Saurashtra defeated Bengal on the first innings lead in finals of 2019/ 20 Ranji Trophy season played at SCA Stadium, Rajkot from 9^th March. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat won the toss and decided to bat first. It was a superb batting performance as Avi Barot and Vishvraj Jadeja 54 each, Arpit Vasavada 106, Pujara 66, Jadeja 33 not out and Jaydev Unadkat 20 helped Saurashtra post 425 runs in the first innings.

On the fifth and final day, Bengal were 354 for 6 requiring 71 runs for the first innings lead, Unadkat produced the breakthrough dismissing Anstup Majumdar to leave Saurashtra on cusp of history. Unadkat got the wicket of Ishan Porel to help Saurashtra register the first innings lead and their maiden Ranji Trophy title. DA Jadeja took 3 wickets, Unadkat 2 and Mankad 2, Sakariya and Mankad 1 each.

Saurashtra in their 2^nd innings scored 105 for 4 before the players shook the hands as there was no result.

It was a team effort by Saurashtra who performed brilliantly right from the group stage. Jaydev Unadkat led from the front as he finished as leading wicket taker with 67 wickets from 10 matches (16 innings) with seven times 5 wicket haul in an innings and 3 times 10 wicket haul in a match.

The left arm spinner Dharmendra Singh Jadeja showed his class by picking 32 wickets from 11 matches (18 innings) with 1 five wicket haul with best figures of 5 for 92.

Sheldon Jackson played a important role with the bat scoring 809 runs from 10 matches (18 innings) with 3 centuries and 3 half-centuries, best score of 186. Arpit Vasavada also provided the backbone in the middle order with 763 runs from 10 matches ( 16 innings) which includes 4 centuries, best score of 139 in the semi-finals against Gujarat.

Journey of Saurashtra winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2019/20