Ranji Trophy | Tamil Nadu pacers condemn Saurashtra to an innings defeat
The Hindu
Gurjapneet Singh shines with a six-wicket haul as Tamil Nadu secures an innings victory in Ranji Trophy debut.
Gurjapneet Singh made a dream debut, scalping a brilliant six-wicket haul (14-5-22-6) to propel Tamil Nadu to an emphatic innings and 70-run victory over Saurashtra in the opening round of the Ranji Trophy clash at the Sri Ramakrishna College Ground on Monday.
Saurashtra, needing another 129 runs to make TN bat again, resumed the final day on 35 for five and was bundled for 94 in its second innings, folding under 90 minutes.
TN, which usually relies on its spinners to do the job at home, had its pacers to thank this time as they produced a disciplined performance and took 15 of the 20 wickets.
Earlier, the ground staff did a commendable job getting the venue ready for an on-time start after heavy downpours on Sunday afternoon flooded the outfield. Once the rain relented in the evening, the staff worked until late last night, using two motors to pump out standing water and employing the Super Soppers early in the morning to ensure there was no delay.
Gurjapneet, who took four wickets on day three, completed his five-for when he dismissed the experienced Arpit Vasavada, caught at second slip while poking outside the off-stump.
The left-arm seamer then sent Dharmendrasinh Jadeja’s off-stump cartwheeling as the batter was stuck on the backfoot to a full delivery that came in and scooted low.
Sheldon Jackson (38) and Jaydev Unadkat delayed the inevitable, finding a few boundaries before skipper R. Sai Kishore had the latter trapped in front for the second time in this contest.