Ranji Trophy: Arpit Vasavada shines as Saurashtra set up final against Bengal

The 2019-20 edition champions scored the required 115 runs for victory on the fifth and final day of the semi-final match to set up a title showdown with Bengal.

Saurashtra secured a place in the Ranji Trophy final for the fifth time in the history of the tournament, defeating Karnataka by four wickets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday. The 2019-20 edition champions scored the required 115 runs for victory on the fifth and final day of the semi-final match to set up a title showdown with Bengal.

Saurashtra skipper Arpit Vasavada, following his match-altering double century in the first innings that helped the team to a mammoth 527, played another polished knock of unbeaten 47 just when the Karnataka bowlers had reduced the team to 42-5 in the second innings. With Karnataka looking poised to defend a paltry 100-plus total on home turf, Vasavada remained calm under trying circumstances to guide his side to a hard-fought win in 34.2 overs.

In other semis, riding on a dominant all-round performance, Bengal stormed into the final, ousting defending champions Madhya Pradesh by 306 runs at Indore. The star of the semi-final for Bengal was Akash Deep, who wrecked the home side with his six wickets to take the team to their second Ranji final appearance in three seasons.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy: Sheldon Jackson, Arpit Vasavada tons help Saurashtra take charge

Unadkat released from Test squad

Pace bowler Jaydev Unadkat was on Sunday released from the Indian squad for the second Test against Australia so that he can play in the Ranji Trophy final for Saurashtra, the BCCI said on Sunday. Unadkat was a member of the India squad for the four-match Test series.

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