Saurashtra take 3 points against Vidarbha to reach quarters

Hosts Saurashtra snatched three crucial points Thursday on the basis of their first innings lead in their Elite Group A game against current champions Vidarbha to make it to the quarter-finals of the Ranji Trophy.

Saurashtra batsmen played out the fourth and the final day and were 218 for 2 when the game was declared drawn.

For the hosts, it was batting practice for Vishvarajsinh Jadeja (105 not out) and Sheldon Jackson (53 not out) as they frustrated the Vidarbha bowlers.

Vidarbha declared on their overnight score of 280 for 9.

Vidarbha, who earned a lone point in the match, ended the league stage as table-toppers in combined A and B Group Standings, to make it to the quarter-finals, as they ended with 29 points.

Saurashtra also ended with the same number of points, but were placed second due to lower quotient than Vidarbha.

The other three teams from Group A and B combined to make the last eight were Karntaka (27 points), Kerala and Gujarat (each 26 points).

Baroda also had 26 points, but could not make through as they had lower quotient than Gujarat.

Brief scores: At Rajkot: Saurashtra 356 and 218/2 (Vishvarajsinh Jadeja 105 not out, Sheldon Jackson 53 not out, S S Bigewar 1-24) drew against Vidarbha 280 for 9 declared.

Saurashtra took first-innings lead.

Saurashtra 3 points.

Vidarbha 1 point.

Final Standings: Elite Group A and B: