Vasavada leads Saurashtra fightback; Karnataka make quarters

Senior pro ArpitVasavada came up with a gritty unbeaten 126 to lead Saurashtra's fightback on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Tamil Nadu here on Friday.The result of this match would not affect Saurashtra's fortunes as they have already qualified for the knock-outs.With Karnataka and Bengal winning their respective final league matches, Tamil Nadu are out of the reckoning.As a result of Vasavada's resolute century, Saurashtra ended the third day at 346/6, adrift by 76 runs.Tamil Nadu made 424 in the first innings built on N Jagadeesan's knock of 183.The hosts started the penultimate day on 107/3.Wicket-keeper Avi Barot (82) and Vasavada (126 not out) stitched together a 108-run stand for the fourth wicket as they tried to rebuild the innings after top-order collapse on the second day.Barot missed his hundred by 18 runs as he edged to wicket-keeper Jagadeesan off right-arm medium pacer K Vignesh.Another right-arm medium pacer M Mohammed removed Samarth Vyas (10) cheaply as the hosts lost half of their side for 213.Young left-arm spinner M Siddharth then trapped Prerak Mankad (13) in front of the wicket even as Vasadava appeared to be running out of partners.The hosts went to tea at 252/6, still adrift by 172 runs.The 31-year old Vasavada notched up his sixth first- class hundred and then found an able allay in number eight Chirag Jani (47 not out) as the two forged an unbroken 104-run stand for the seventh wicket.The duo negated the challenge of the TN pacers and spinners.Vasavada hammered 13 fours and one six so far and his first target would be to secure the first-innings lead for the home team as an outright result looks difficult.Meanwhile, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka defeated Baroda by eight wickets to qualify for the knockouts.For Karnataka, skipper Karun Nair struck an unbeaten 71 as they chased down the 149-run target in 44.4 overs and a day to spare.Karnataka had taken a firm grip on the game right from day one after bundling out Baroda for 85.Meanwhile in Mumbai, the hosts who are already out of the tournament, took the first-innings lead against Madhya Pradesh.Opener Hardik Tamore slammed his maiden first-class hundred as Mumbai set an imposing 408-run target for MP, who ended the third day at 44/2.Brief Scores: Tamil Nadu 424 v/s Saurashtra 346/6 (Arpit Vasavada 126 not out, Avi Barot 82; K Vignesh 2-57) Saurashtra trail by 76 runs.In Bengaluru: Baroda 85 and 296 (A Pathan 90, Abhimanyusingh 52; M Prasidh Krishna 4-45) v/s Karnataka 233 and 150/2 (Karun Nair 71 not out; Bhargav Bhatt 2-62).Karnataka won by 8 wickets.Karnataka 6 points, Baroda 0 points.Qualify for quarters.In Mumbai: Mumbai 427 and 238/5 declared (Hardik Tamore 113; Mihir Hirwani 4-71) v/s Madhya Pradesh 258 (Venkatesh Iyer 93; Ankush Jaiswal 4-58) and 44/2.MP need 364 runs to win.In Lucknow: Himachal Pradesh 220 and 433/7declared (A P Vashisht 141; N R Gangta 102; Saurabh Kumar 5/121) versus Uttar Pradesh 119 and 77/4.UP need 458 runs to win.

Vasavada leads Saurashtra fightback; Karnataka make quarters

More From This Section

Uddhav asks spokespersons of MVA allies to keep coordination

Allow resumption of mining sector: GMPF to Goa govt, Centre

23 Indian fishermen apprehended by Pak off Guj coast: Official

Intellect Design Arena posts 3qtr net loss at Rs 10.67 cr

Explore News