Saurashtra fights back after conceding 40-run lead against Haryana

Rajkot, Jan 4 (UNI) Saurashtra fought back after conceding 40 runs lead to grab seven wickets before Haryana capitalised on them in second essay on the penultimate day of the four day Elite Group 'A' Ranji Match at the Madhavrao Scindia ground here today. Haryana were reduced to 82 for seven wickets in their second innings after gaining a vital lead of 40 runs over Saurashtra as the hosts were bowled out for 268 runs shortly before the tea-break.

The visitors have over all lead of 122 runs and three wickets intact.

Spinners once again proved their abilities, grabbing six wickets out of seven.

The hosts would have golden opportunity to defeat Haryana on the last day tomorrow to garner four points from this match.

None of the visitor batsmen showed any resistance and caved in against web spun of left arm spinners - Ravindra Jadeja and Rakesh Dhruve. The duo shared three wickets each by conceding 16 and 30 runs respectively.

Opener Nitin Saini made 27 runs with two lives. He survived twice when he was on six. Rakesh Dhruve dropped two catches in second slip off R Jadeja's fifth and seventh over.

Last three wickets fell at the same score of 82. Nitin Saini, Mahesh Rawat and Sandeep singh were sent back when the team's score was 82. Left-arm spinner R Jadeja sent back Nitin Saini who was caught at slip by S Kotak while Mahesh Rawat was trapped LBW off left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhruve in the 33rd over.

He made 17 runs that included two fours.

Dhruve again struck in the 35th over and sent back Haryana's captain Joginder Sharma for a duck. He was caught at second slip by Jaydev Shah.

Earlier, Saurashtra started their first innings at overnight score of 134 for five. They were all out after adding another 134 runs, shortly before the tea break.

Firoz Bambhania was the first to go after scoring 33 runs.

Right-arm spinner Gaurav Vashist took his wicket.

Ravindra Jadeja missed the half century by two runs. He was also a victim of Gaurav Vashist. His 48 runs included ten hits to the fence.

Another notable contribution came from Rakesh Dhruve who scored 34 runs with the help of three fours and one six.

Kamlesh Makwana chipped in with 23 with the aid of three boundaries while facing 49 balls.

Brief Score: Haryana Ist Innings : 308 for all out