In recent years, Saurashtra has gained a reputation for being one of the most dependable teams in the Ranji Trophy. Currently, they are competing against Bengal in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 Final, which is taking place at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. The start of Saurashtra seamer Chetan Sakariya’s bowling spell was exceptional, as he dismissed two Bengal batsmen in his very first over, which was nothing short of a dream start.
Sudip Gharami, the Bengal batsman, was completely caught off guard by Chetan Sakariya’s outstanding inswing delivery which quickly nipped back in and shattered his off-stump. Saurashtra, led by Jaydev Unadkat, has been remarkably consistent, having made it to the Ranji Trophy final for the fifth time in the past nine years.
The manner in which the Saurashtra pacers began their bowling attack with the new ball on the first day of the final was a testament to their exceptional quality. In the opening over of the match, Chetan Sakariya, the fast bowler from Saurashtra, made an immediate impact by dismissing Bengal’s opener Sumanta Gupta on just his second delivery.
However, the real highlight was yet to come. On the fourth ball of the same over, Sakariya produced a remarkable inswinging delivery that crashed into Sudip Gharami’s off stump, leaving the Bengal batsman completely stunned.
Chetan Sakariya pitched a full-length delivery near the off-stump line, and Sudip Gharami, the Bengal batsman, anticipated the ball to move away since Sakariya had used an outswinger to dismiss the opener Sumanta Gupta. Nonetheless, the ball surprisingly darted back in and crashed onto Gharami’s off-stump.
The Bengal batsman was completely clueless, as he had intended to let the delivery pass and was forced to depart to the pavilion. Sakariya’s outstanding over restricted Bengal to a score of 2 for 3. The Eden Gardens’ lively pitch sustained the bowlers’ interest throughout the day, with Bengal slumping to 65 for 6 at one stage.
Skipper Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya were equally impressive, taking three wickets apiece and preventing the Bengal batsmen from getting comfortable in the first innings of the final match. Additionally, Chirag Jani chipped in by dismissing a couple of Bengal batters.
