Bengal vs Saurashtra Highlights: Saurashtra thrash Bengal by 9 wickets to clinch Ranji Trophy 2023 title for 2nd time

Bengal vs Saurashtra Highlights: Ranji Trophy FINAL Highlights: Saurashtra win by 9 wickets – In what has been a repeat of 2019-20 final, Saurashtra have outclassed Bengal by 9 wickets to clinch their 2nd Ranii Trophy title. Saurashtra needed just 12 runs to win the Ranji Trophy final and despite losing a wicket, Jaydev Unadkat-led side had no trouble chasing the negligible target. Watch BEN vs SAU Ranji Trophy Final Highlights Updates with InsideSport.IN.

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The reactions say it all 😊 🤗

That moment when Saurashtra began the celebrations after winning the #RanjiTrophy 2022-23! 👏 👏

The @JUnadkat-led unit beat Bengal by 9⃣ wickets in the #Final 👍 👍 #BENvSAU | @mastercardindia

Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/hwbkaDeBSj pic.twitter.com/tt8xE3eUKY
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 19, 2023

Despite Manoj Tiwary and Anustup Majumdar’s resistance, Bengal could only manage 241, taking a negligible 11-run lead. The duo smashed half-centuries and after their departure, Bengal crumbled like a pack of cards. Bengal folded Saurashtra innings at 404 with Arpit Vasavada getting out for 81 runs, while Chirag Jani was dismissed for 60 runs. For bengal Mukesh Kumar picked up 4 wickets while Ishan Porel and Akash Deep shared 3 wickets apiece between them.

Saurashtra had Bengal in trouble early in the second innings. The top three of Bengal’s batting lineup were dismissed inside 50 runs. However, Manoj Tiwary set base and found an able partner in Anustup. That 99-run stand lifted Bengal before Unadkat broke the partnership. Majumdar was dismissed for 61 runs by Saurashtra skipper. Tiwary is currently unbeaten on 51 runs and has Shahbaz Ahmed for his company. Bengal would want the duo to play big knock as they trail Saurashtra’s total by 61 runs.

Bengal vs Saurashtra Highlights: Saurashtra thrash Bengal by 9 wickets to clinch Ranji Trophy 2023 title for 2nd time – Watch Ranji Trophy Final Highlights

Earlier on Day 2 Vasavada and Chirag Jani stitched together 100 run partnership on Day 2 giving Saurashtra lead of 143 runs in the first innings. Wicketkeeper Harvik Desai scored a fifty and looked set for a big knock. However, he was trapped in front of the stumps by Mukesh Kumar. Overnight batsman Chetan Sakariya could only manage 8 runs and was dismissed by Ishan Porel. Sheldon Jackson and Vasavada steadied Saurashtra innings by building a brilliant partnership between them.

The duo stitched together 95 runs for the fifth wicket and played some brilliant strokes. Ishan Porel broke the partnership dismissing Jackson for 59 runs. Chirag Jani came in and supported Vasavada to perfection. Chirag was dropped on 25 by Shahbaz Ahmed making the most of t by scoring half century. Jani remained unbeaten on 57 runs, while Vasavada remained unbeaten on 81 runs as Saurashtra finished the day 2 on 317-5.

Teams: Bengal (Playing XI): Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sumanta Gupta, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Anustup Majumdar, Manoj Tiwary(c), Shahbaz Ahmed, Abishek Porel(w), Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Porel, Akash Ghatak.

Saurashtra (Playing XI): Harvik Desai(w), Jay Gohil, Vishvaraj Jadeja, Sheldon Jackson, Arpit Vasavada, Chirag Jani, Prerak Mankad, Parth Bhut, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Jaydev Unadkat(c), Chetan Sakariya.

Bengal is not just hungry to win the title, but revenge will also be on their mind. The last time Bengal made the final in 2020, Saurashtra had won the title on the basis of first innings lead at their home turf in Rajkot. Both the teams are set to cross swords in a Ranji final again, this time at Eden Gardens, a venue where Bengal had won their last Ranji Trophy way back in 1990.

Bengal vs Saurashtra Highlights: Saurashtra thrash Bengal by 9 wickets to clinch Ranji Trophy 2023 title for 2nd time – Watch Ranji Trophy Final Highlights

It’s not that Bengal have been underperforming. They have been on an upward curve since the 2019-20 season, making it to the semifinals three times on the trot. They have played two finals in this period. In between, the 2020-21 season was abandoned because of COVID-19 pandemic.

Just 1⃣ sleep away from the #RanjiTrophy summit clash! ⏳

Bengal or Saurashtra – which team will come out on top? 🤔@CabCricket | @saucricket | #BENvSAU | #Final | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/WOmBJ2ZjPR

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 15, 2023