Led by the experienced Jaydev Unadkat’s match-winning performance, Saurashtra defeated Bengal by nine wickets to win their second Ranji Trophy title in the past three seasons on Sunday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Chasing a mere 12 runs for the win, Saurashtra lost just one wicket in opener Jay Gohil before finishing the job inside the third over.

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Second Ranji Title in last 3 years, add to that Vijay Hazary trophy as well this year. Saurashtra has become a domestic powerhouse. Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/JUnadkat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JUnadkat</a>, the team and support staff 🏆🙌🏽👏🏽 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ranjitrophy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ranjitrophy</a> <a href="https://t.co/MggYdWVFiH">pic.twitter.com/MggYdWVFiH</a>
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) <a href="https://twitter.com/WasimJaffer14/status/1627192092228472832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, Saurashtra had Bengal on the mat early on by picking five wickets for 35 runs inside the first session. Two left-armers Chetan Sakariya and captain Unadkat shared four wickets among each other before all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed and keeper-batter Abishek Porel scored respective fifties and helped Bengal cross the 150-run mark. Upon getting dismissed on 174 in the first innings, Bengal knew they had a mountain to climb if they were to think of winning the final.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-aus-ravindra-jadeja-picks-his-career-best-figures-in-second-innings-against-australia-in-delhi-563573">IND vs AUS: Ravindra Jadeja picks his career-best figures in second innings against Australia in Delhi</a>

Saurashtra, in their first innings took a massive 230-run lead with four of their batters completing half centuries. Bengal looked more composed in their second innings that saw Anustup Majumdar and skipper Manoj Tiwari hitting 61 and 68, respectively.

However, they didn’t get much support from the other end as Saurashtra skipper Jayden Unadkat produced a stunning show and picked up six wickets for 85, dismissing Bengal on 241.It was about time before Saurashtra clinched the win with nine wickets and lifted the coveted Ranji Trophy. They had earlier won the Vijay Hazare trophy as well.

Following the win, captain Unadkat revealed what inspired the side to take down Bengal in the Ranji final. "Championships are not won by one or 2-3 games. It's a long season. It began when we started the white ball season. We didn't win the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but we were able to win the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VH). When we got together for the Ranji Trophy there was one huddle before the start of the season,” Unadkat said.

"I told them yes we have won VH but the big one (Ranji) is waiting for us, if you want to win that we have to work really hard and I am absolutely proud of the guys for what we have been able to achieve twice in three years now. That is the secret of our success I would say (core of the team remaining the same). Lot of stability in the team. Comes with performances," said Saurashtra captain Unadkat.

Led by the experienced Jaydev Unadkat’s match-winning performance, Saurashtra defeated Bengal by nine wickets to win their second Ranji Trophy title in the past three seasons on Sunday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Led by the experienced Jaydev Unadkat’s match-winning performance, Saurashtra defeated Bengal by nine wickets to win their second Ranji Trophy title in the past three seasons on Sunday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Chasing a mere 12 runs for the win, Saurashtra lost just one wicket in opener Jay Gohil before finishing the job inside the third over. Second Ranji Title in last 3 years, add to that Vijay Hazary trophy as well this year. Saurashtra has become a domestic powerhouse. Congratulations to @JUnadkat, the team and support staff 🏆🙌🏽👏🏽 #ranjitrophy pic.twitter.com/MggYdWVFiH — Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 19, 2023 × Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, Saurashtra had Bengal on the mat early on by picking five wickets for 35 runs inside the first session. Two left-armers Chetan Sakariya and captain Unadkat shared four wickets among each other before all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed and keeper-batter Abishek Porel scored respective fifties and helped Bengal cross the 150-run mark. Upon getting dismissed on 174 in the first innings, Bengal knew they had a mountain to climb if they were to think of winning the final. ALSO READ: IND vs AUS: Ravindra Jadeja picks his career-best figures in second innings against Australia in Delhi Saurashtra, in their first innings took a massive 230-run lead with four of their batters completing half centuries. Bengal looked more composed in their second innings that saw Anustup Majumdar and skipper Manoj Tiwari hitting 61 and 68, respectively. However, they didn’t get much support from the other end as Saurashtra skipper Jayden Unadkat produced a stunning show and picked up six wickets for 85, dismissing Bengal on 241.It was about time before Saurashtra clinched the win with nine wickets and lifted the coveted Ranji Trophy. They had earlier won the Vijay Hazare trophy as well. Following the win, captain Unadkat revealed what inspired the side to take down Bengal in the Ranji final. "Championships are not won by one or 2-3 games. It's a long season. It began when we started the white ball season. We didn't win the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but we were able to win the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VH). When we got together for the Ranji Trophy there was one huddle before the start of the season,” Unadkat said. "I told them yes we have won VH but the big one (Ranji) is waiting for us, if you want to win that we have to work really hard and I am absolutely proud of the guys for what we have been able to achieve twice in three years now. That is the secret of our success I would say (core of the team remaining the same). Lot of stability in the team. Comes with performances," said Saurashtra captain Unadkat.

Jaydev Unadkat guides Saurashtra to 2022/23 Ranji Trophy title, beat Bengal by 9 wickets in finals

Not only in the Australian camp, there is a change in the squad in the Indian camp too as seamer Jaydev Unadkat has been released to play the Ranji Trophy final for Saurashtra against Bengal, starting February 16th at Eden Gardens in Kolkata;&nbsp;whereas, the second of the four-match Test series will begin on February 17th in Delhi. Unadkat, who returned to the Test side after almost a decade during Bangladesh series late last year, was picked for the Border-Gavaskar series but didn’t play the first Test in Nagpur as the management went ahead with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. The board hasn’t named Unadkat’s replacement for the&nbsp;second Test.

On Sunday, Saurashtra defeated former champions Karnataka by four wickets in Bengaluru to reach their third final in past four editions while Bengal beat Madhya Pradesh to enter the summit clash too. Earlier, all three of Unadkat, Cheteshwar Pujara and returning Ravindra Jadeja played for Saurashtra against Tamil Nadu in the group game before joining the pre-series camp in Nagpur ahead of the first Test.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-aus-matthew-kuhnemann-mitchell-starc-to-join-australian-squad-ahead-of-delhi-test-561129">IND vs AUS: Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Starc to join Australian squad ahead of Delhi Test</a>

On the other hand, Australia has roped in left-arm orthodox Matthew Kuhnemann as replacement of Mitchell Swepson who returned home for the birth of his first child. Mitchell Starc, who missed the first Test due to the finger injury he sustained last year, will also be joining the Australia squad for the remainder of the series.&nbsp;There is no news about Josh Hazlewood and Cameroon Green, both of whom were also benched for Nagpur game due to respective injuries.

Meanwhile, India has taken a convincing 1-0 lead in the four-match Test series by winning the first Test by an innings and 132 runs inside three days. Captain Rohit Sharma scored his first Border-Gavaskar series hundred while Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin both returned with five-wicket hauls. Axar Patel, who didn’t really do damage with the ball in hand, compensated with his incredible 84 in India’s only innings.

As for India, injured Shreyas Iyer is also expected to join the team ahead of the second match, it would be interesting to see if the management will make any change to the winning XI or not. The Aussies are however likely to make several changes to the XI.

Not only in the Australian camp, there is a change in the squad in the Indian camp too as seamer Jaydev Unadkat has been released to play the Ranji Trophy final for Saurashtra against Bengal, starting February 16th at Eden Gardens in Kolkata; whereas, the second of the four-match Test series will begin on February 17th in Delhi.

Not only in the Australian camp, there is a change in the squad in the Indian camp too as seamer Jaydev Unadkat has been released to play the Ranji Trophy final for Saurashtra against Bengal, starting February 16th at Eden Gardens in Kolkata; whereas, the second of the four-match Test series will begin on February 17th in Delhi. Unadkat, who returned to the Test side after almost a decade during Bangladesh series late last year, was picked for the Border-Gavaskar series but didn’t play the first Test in Nagpur as the management went ahead with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. The board hasn’t named Unadkat’s replacement for the second Test. On Sunday, Saurashtra defeated former champions Karnataka by four wickets in Bengaluru to reach their third final in past four editions while Bengal beat Madhya Pradesh to enter the summit clash too. Earlier, all three of Unadkat, Cheteshwar Pujara and returning Ravindra Jadeja played for Saurashtra against Tamil Nadu in the group game before joining the pre-series camp in Nagpur ahead of the first Test. ALSO READ: IND vs AUS: Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Starc to join Australian squad ahead of Delhi Test On the other hand, Australia has roped in left-arm orthodox Matthew Kuhnemann as replacement of Mitchell Swepson who returned home for the birth of his first child. Mitchell Starc, who missed the first Test due to the finger injury he sustained last year, will also be joining the Australia squad for the remainder of the series. There is no news about Josh Hazlewood and Cameroon Green, both of whom were also benched for Nagpur game due to respective injuries. Meanwhile, India has taken a convincing 1-0 lead in the four-match Test series by winning the first Test by an innings and 132 runs inside three days. Captain Rohit Sharma scored his first Border-Gavaskar series hundred while Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin both returned with five-wicket hauls. Axar Patel, who didn’t really do damage with the ball in hand, compensated with his incredible 84 in India’s only innings. As for India, injured Shreyas Iyer is also expected to join the team ahead of the second match, it would be interesting to see if the management will make any change to the winning XI or not. The Aussies are however likely to make several changes to the XI.

IND vs AUS: Change in India squad for Delhi Test, Jaydev Unadkat released to play Ranji final for Saurashtra

Skipper Jaydev Unadkat on Friday produced a lion-hearted spell when it mattered the most against Bengal, leading Saurashtra to their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph a year after stumbling at the last hurdle. The win was achieved on the basis of the first-innings lead here.

Bengal had the upper hand going into day five after Anustup Majumdar (63) and Arnab Nandi (40 not out) shared an unbeaten 91-run stand in the final session Thursday.

But Unadkat, who had single-handily taken Saurashtra into the final with a seven-wicket haul against Gujarat on the final day of their semifinal, rose to the occasion yet again to script a historic victory.

The left-arm pacer had the in-form Majumdar LBW and Akash Deep run out in a space of three balls to turn the game on its head. Unadkat ended as the season's leading wicket-taker with 67 scalps at a staggering average of 13.23, one short of an all-time record.

One hour and 10 minutes of play in the decisive morning session yielded 27 runs and four wickets with Bengal all out for 381, giving Saurashtra a 44-run first innings lead. At the start of the day, Bengal needed 72 runs for the first-innings lead with four wickets in hands.

In the second innings, all Saurashtra had to do was to bat time before both captains decided to call off the game and shake hands. They eventually did that at tea time after Saurashtra sauntered 105 for three in 34 overs.

With the win, Saurashtra ended their Ranji Trophy title drought while a fighting Bengal will have to wait longer for their first crown since the 1989-90 season.

Despite the loss, it was a memorable season for Bengal, who reached the title clash after 13 years at the back of stellar performances from the pace trio of Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Porel and veteran batsman Manoj Tiwary and Majumdar.

For Saurashtra, the star performers were Sheldon Jackson, Arpit Vasavada, and of course, their captain.

Unadkat, who opened the bowling alongside Chetan Sakariya on day five, was a tad defensive with the field placement early on, considering the team conceded easy runs to Bengal on the penultimate day.

The onus was on the Saurashtra skipper to deliver again after his performance against Gujarat propelled his team to its fourth final in eight seasons. He had bowled 32 overs before that match-winning over without getting a wicket despite giving his all.

But such is his conviction that he backs himself to do the job in the toughest of situations. In fact, he thrives on it.

Majumdar and Nandi, who resumed the day on 58 and 28 after defying Saurashtra on Thursday, were expected to get the 72 runs for the all-important first innings but Unadkat changed it all in one over.

The left-arm pacer, who is known more for his IPL riches than his brave heart performances for his state team, ended the 98-run stand between Majumdar and Nandi by trapping the former in front of the stumps as he brought the ball back in sharply.

He could have had Wriddhiman Saha out twice on day four with a similar ball but did not have the required luck.

Two balls after sending back a dejected Majumdar, Unadkat was alert enough on the field to make Akash Deep pay for ignoring the basics.

Having played and miss, Akash Deep was found standing marginally outside the crease. The wicketkeeper was quick to observe that and went for the direct hit but missed, only for the bowler to collect the ball and disturb the timber, giving Saurashtra their second wicket in three balls.

The game was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus threat but the celebratory roar from the Saurashtra players could be heard from the highway next door.

Five overs later, spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja had Mukesh Kumar caught at short-leg after taking a successful DRS call, bringing Saurashtra just one wicket away from creating history.

With Bengal 55 runs behind, Nandi tried his best and went for his strokes but in the end, his team fell agonisingly short.

Fittingly, Unadkat took the last wicket of Bengal's innings by catching number 11 Ishan Porel plumb in front of the stumps.

Skipper Jaydev Unadkat on Friday produced a lion-hearted spell when it mattered the most against Bengal, leading Saurashtra to their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph a year after stumbling at the last hurdle.

Skipper Jaydev Unadkat on Friday produced a lion-hearted spell when it mattered the most against Bengal, leading Saurashtra to their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph a year after stumbling at the last hurdle. The win was achieved on the basis of the first-innings lead here. Bengal had the upper hand going into day five after Anustup Majumdar (63) and Arnab Nandi (40 not out) shared an unbeaten 91-run stand in the final session Thursday. But Unadkat, who had single-handily taken Saurashtra into the final with a seven-wicket haul against Gujarat on the final day of their semifinal, rose to the occasion yet again to script a historic victory. The left-arm pacer had the in-form Majumdar LBW and Akash Deep run out in a space of three balls to turn the game on its head. Unadkat ended as the season's leading wicket-taker with 67 scalps at a staggering average of 13.23, one short of an all-time record. One hour and 10 minutes of play in the decisive morning session yielded 27 runs and four wickets with Bengal all out for 381, giving Saurashtra a 44-run first innings lead. At the start of the day, Bengal needed 72 runs for the first-innings lead with four wickets in hands. In the second innings, all Saurashtra had to do was to bat time before both captains decided to call off the game and shake hands. They eventually did that at tea time after Saurashtra sauntered 105 for three in 34 overs. With the win, Saurashtra ended their Ranji Trophy title drought while a fighting Bengal will have to wait longer for their first crown since the 1989-90 season. Despite the loss, it was a memorable season for Bengal, who reached the title clash after 13 years at the back of stellar performances from the pace trio of Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Porel and veteran batsman Manoj Tiwary and Majumdar. For Saurashtra, the star performers were Sheldon Jackson, Arpit Vasavada, and of course, their captain. Unadkat, who opened the bowling alongside Chetan Sakariya on day five, was a tad defensive with the field placement early on, considering the team conceded easy runs to Bengal on the penultimate day. The onus was on the Saurashtra skipper to deliver again after his performance against Gujarat propelled his team to its fourth final in eight seasons. He had bowled 32 overs before that match-winning over without getting a wicket despite giving his all. But such is his conviction that he backs himself to do the job in the toughest of situations. In fact, he thrives on it. Majumdar and Nandi, who resumed the day on 58 and 28 after defying Saurashtra on Thursday, were expected to get the 72 runs for the all-important first innings but Unadkat changed it all in one over. The left-arm pacer, who is known more for his IPL riches than his brave heart performances for his state team, ended the 98-run stand between Majumdar and Nandi by trapping the former in front of the stumps as he brought the ball back in sharply. He could have had Wriddhiman Saha out twice on day four with a similar ball but did not have the required luck. Two balls after sending back a dejected Majumdar, Unadkat was alert enough on the field to make Akash Deep pay for ignoring the basics. Having played and miss, Akash Deep was found standing marginally outside the crease. The wicketkeeper was quick to observe that and went for the direct hit but missed, only for the bowler to collect the ball and disturb the timber, giving Saurashtra their second wicket in three balls. The game was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus threat but the celebratory roar from the Saurashtra players could be heard from the highway next door. Five overs later, spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja had Mukesh Kumar caught at short-leg after taking a successful DRS call, bringing Saurashtra just one wicket away from creating history. With Bengal 55 runs behind, Nandi tried his best and went for his strokes but in the end, his team fell agonisingly short. Fittingly, Unadkat took the last wicket of Bengal's innings by catching number 11 Ishan Porel plumb in front of the stumps.

Jaydev Unadkat fires Saurashtra to Ranji Trophy title truimph, delivers on final day yet again