Rajasthan earn three points, Saurashtra settle for one

Jaipur: A handy first-innings lead of 71 runs proved to be crucial for Rajasthan as it helped them earn three points from their drawn Group A Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra on the fourth and final day here today.

Chasing 306 for victory, Saurashtra reached 217 for five in their second innings to play out a draw and pocket one point from this encounter. Both the teams were looking for a win today as Saurashtra are fighting for a place in knock-out stage, while Rajasthan face a threat of relegation. Resuming at 11 for no loss, Saurashtra needed 295 on the day for a win and they were right on course at 73 without any wicket. But just before lunch, they lost overnight batsman Sheldon Jackson for 32 and one-down batsman, Cheteswar Pujara (24) to be suddenly struggling at 119 for two. In the second session, Shitanshu Kotak also departed for a well-made 54 off 112 balls studded with six boundaries. But skipper Jaydev Shah (34 runs, 35 b, 7x4) kept up the pace, even as Chirag Jani (9) gave him company for a while. But the dismissal of both Shah and Chirag with scorecard reading 164 for five, left the visitors in a danger of losing the match. Arpit Vasavada (28 not out) and Kamlesh Makvana (25 not out), however, thwarted Rajasthan bowlers to steer their team to safety with an unbroken 53-run stand for the sixth wicket. With no result in sight, the match was called off after nine mandatory overs with Saurashtra at 217 for 5. For Rajasthan, Aniket Choudhary grabbed three for 42, while Sumit Mathur (1 for 31) and Pankaj Singh (1 for 75) took wicket apiece. Brief scores: Rajasthan: 299 & 234 Saurashtra: 228 & 217 for five in 88 overs (Shitanshu Kotak 54, Jaydev Shah 34; Aniket Choudhary 3/42). PTI