On Sunday, Saurashtra defeated Bengal by nine wickets to lift the Ranji Trophy title for the second time at the Eden Gardens. The winning captain, Jaydev Unadkat, picked up a six-wicket haul to lead his team home. He was named Man of the Match, and Arpit Vasavada was named Player of the Series, while Unadkat was named Player of the Match.
Saurashtra has won the Ranji Trophy for the second time in the last three seasons. In the second innings, Saurashtra only needed a 12-run target to chase. Harvik Desai scored the winning run, and Jay Gohil was dismissed for a golden duck.
Bengal struggled to put up a good fight throughout the final. Even though the moisture in the wicket made it difficult for their batsmen to perform, they still couldn’t match up to the performance of the Saurashtra players. Bengal tried their best to build partnerships but, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.
However, despite the disappointing end, Bengal still had a good season. Saurashtra’s win was a fitting end to their red-ball season, as they dominated the Ranji Trophy throughout the season.
Here are some highlights of Ranji Trophy 2023 Final – Saurashtra beats Bengal
- Saurashtra’s dominating season – Saurashtra was dominant throughout the Ranji Trophy season, led by skipper Jaydev Unadkat.
- Man of the Match – Jaydev Unadkat picked up a six-wicket haul in the final and was declared the man of the match.
- Player of the Series – Arpit Vasavada was the player of the tournament. He scored 907 runs in 10 matches.
- Bengal’s loss – Bengal failed to perform up to the mark, even after winning the toss. The moisture on the wicket was difficult for their batters to show their skill set. Bengal finished their second innings on 241, which gave Saurashtra only a 12-run target to chase.
- Saurashtra’s dominant chase – Saurashtra’s opening pair, Harvik Desai and Jay Gohil, walked out to face Mukesh Kumar. They easily chased down the 12 runs and won the game with ease.
- Unadkat’s fifer – Jaydev Unadkat picked up a five-wicket haul in the second innings and completed a six-wicket haul in the final. His impressive performance was instrumental in Saurashtra’s win.
- Bengal’s positives – Manoj Tiwary stated that it had been a great season for Bengal, and they would work on their positives. He congratulated Saurashtra and BCCI for organizing the event so well.
A repeat of the 2019-20 final, and 🏆 number 2 for Saurashtra at the majestic Eden Gardens this time 🙌😍
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) February 19, 2023
An absolutely amazing achievement 💙#RanjiTrophy #BENvSAU #Champions pic.twitter.com/CPqYgz8tnu
In the battle between Tigers and Lions, the Lions have won this time, but Bengal will be much better prepared next time. According to Manoj Tiwary, there are always positives to take away from these matches, and they will work on those positives for next time.. Saurashtra’s win was a fitting end to their red-ball season, and they dominated the Ranji Trophy throughout the season. This win will definitely boost their confidence, and they will aim to carry this momentum in the upcoming seasons.
The match was full of excitement, with moments of nail-biting suspense as the last pair for Bengal tried to hold off the Saurashtra attack. However, the Saurashtra players proved too strong for their opponents in the end, securing their win with only one wicket left to take.
It was an exciting match to watch, and it was a great showcase of the best cricket players in India. Congratulations to Saurashtra on their well-deserved win!
Read more : Ranji Trophy final 2023: Jaydev Unadkat becomes the First Saurashtra Bowler to take 300 Wickets
