Jammu: A sensational seven-wicket haul by spinner Kamlesh Makvana helped Saurashtra crush Jammu and Kashmir by an innings and 63 runs to seal their quarterfinal berth in the Ranji Tropy, here, on Thursday.
Ian Dev Singh’s 179-ball 127 went in vain as Makvana wreaked havoc on the hosts on the penultimate day, returning with figures of 26.4-5-100-7 at the Gandhi Memorial Science College Ground.
In Pune, an exciting finish is on the cards after Maharashtra set Karnataka a challenging 293-run target on Day III of the Group A match. Karnataka were 61 for one in their second innings, needing another 232 runs for victory.
Maharashtra, resuming the day at 70 for four, went on to make 260 largely due to the efforts of Rahul Tripathi (78) and Shrikant Mundhe (81). Captain R. Vinay Kumar was the pick of the Karnataka bowlers, taking four wickets for 71 runs.
In Hyderabad, Saurabh Tiwary hit an unbeaten 209 to put Jharkhand in the driving seat versus Hyderabad in a Group C tie. Hyderabad are still trailing by 74 runs with only four wickets in hand, as Jharkhand look set for an innings victory.
In Mumbai, Bhargav Merai is batting on 150 to keep Gujarat afloat versus Mumbai. At stumps, Gujarat were 355 for seven in reply to Mumbai’s 531.
The 23-year-old, reprieved soon after he arrived at the crease on Wednesday when a rampaging Shardul Thakur dropped him off his own bowling after taking wickets in successive overs, was watchful through his marathon 506-minute innings that contained 13 fours off 315 balls.
In the process, Merai also completed the fourth first-class century as Gujarat, seeking at least the first innings points to qualify for the knockouts, were 176 runs adrift of the 40-time champions at close of play.
Akshar Patel (88) and Merai, who came together after Gujarat lost two wickets this morning to the medium pace of Badre Alam, staved off the home team attack with their solid, steady batting.
SUMMARISED SCORES
Group A
In Jaipur: Odisha 151 & 129. Rajasthan 51 & 231/8. Rajasthan won by 2 wickets
In Nagpur: Vidarbha 504/7 decl. vs Haryana 241 & 66/2
In Pune: Maharashtra 212 & 260 vs Karnataka 180 & 61/1
Group B
In Greater Noida: Baroda 321 vs UP 466/7 (U. Sharma 195 batting)
In Indore: MP 279. Andhra 56 & 214 (A. Sharma 7/91). MP won by an innings & 9 runs
In Mumbai: Mumbai 531 vs Gujarat 355/7 (B. Merai 150 batting)
Group C
In Agartala: Services 512 vs Tripura 229 & 9/0
In Hyderabad: Hyderabad 145 & 169/6 vs Jharkhand 388/8 decl. (S. Tiwary 209 n.o.)
In Jammu: J&K 138 & 296 (K. Makvana 7/100). Saurashtra 497. Saurashtra won by an innings & 63 runs
All matches to continue unless otherwise mentioned
(Agencies)
