Jadeja scores triple ton as Saurashtra gain three points

Surat: Ravindra Jadeja became one of the few Indian players to have scored two triple centuries in first- class cricket as his unbeaten innings of 303 against Gujarat helped Saurashtra earn three valuable points in the second round of the Ranji Trophy here on Monday.

Jadeja had scored his maiden triple century last season against Odisha. And in one of the flattest tracks on offer this season, the left-hander punished a listless Gujarat attack, adding a whopping 539 runs with wicketkeeper-batsman Sagar Jogiyani (282), who also scored a double century. In reply to Gujarat`s first-innings total of 600 for nine declared, Saurashtra reached 716 for three at stumps on the fourth and final day of their Group A match, taking their lead beyond 115-run mark. In a match that ended in a dull draw, just one wicket fell on the entire day and that too a run out in the last session. Overnight batsmen, Jadeja and Jogiyani put on 53O plus runs together for the third wicket. Having started the day on 323 for two, the visitors were trailing Gujarat by 277 runs but yesterday`s centurions -- Jadeja and Jogiyani -- made sure that their team cross the hosts` first-innings total without losing a single wicket. Jadeja, after resuming on 119, remained not out on 303, which came off 561 ball and was studded with 37 boundaries and four sixes. Jogiyani`s knock came off 651 balls and was laced with 35 fours and two sixes. He got dismissed when the team score read 659 for three. Sheldon Jackson then joined Jadeja in the middle and gave him company till stumps were drawn. Gujarat gained just one point from this match. Brief scores: Gujarat: 600 for nine declared Saurashtra: 716 for three in 180.2 overs (Ravindra Jadeja not out 303, Sagar Jogiyani 282; Rakesh Dhurv 1/145). PTI