Ranji Trophy: Chetan Sakariya, Yuvrajsinh Dodiya’s Grit Help Saurashtra Edge Karnataka

In a tense Day 3 showdown at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Saurashtra eked out a four-run first-innings lead over Karnataka in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B encounter on October 17, 2025. The home side's tailenders, Chetan Sakariya and Yuvrajsinh Dodiya, mounted a defiant rearguard action to reach 376 all out, surpassing Karnataka's 372 and securing three vital points in India's premier domestic first-class tournament. Karnataka's leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal claimed an impressive eight for 110, but it wasn't enough to prevent the hosts from turning the tide in this crucial group-stage clash.

Resuming from an overnight 200 for four, Saurashtra navigated early pressure but soon found themselves teetering at 342 for nine after losing key partnerships. Opener Prerak Mankad fell leg-before to Gopal for 27 in the morning session, triggering a collapse. Veteran batsman Arpit Vasavada anchored the innings with a resolute 58, forging a crucial 57-run sixth-wicket stand with Sammar Gajjar (45) to push the score past 300. This partnership provided brief stability amid the mounting threat of Karnataka enforcing the follow-on. However, Gopal struck back decisively, trapping Vasavada lbw and swiftly dismissing Gajjar and lower-order batter Dharmendra Jadeja. Pacer Shikhar Shetty then castled captain Jaydev Unadkat, leaving Saurashtra's hopes pinned on their improbable last pair as the visitors eyed a commanding position.

The drama peaked in the final overs, where Sakariya (29 off 72 balls) and Dodiya (13 not out off 34 balls) stitched together a gritty 34-run stand for the 10th wicket, frustrating Karnataka's attack for nearly 16 overs. Dodiya's streaky edge off pacer Abhilash Shetty raced through the slips for four, inching Saurashtra to 370 and within striking distance. Skipper Mayank Agarwal turned to Gopal for one last push, but Sakariya unleashed a slog-sweep for six over midwicket, erupting in a triumphant fist-pump as the lead materialised. Two balls later, Gopal exacted revenge by bowling Sakariya lbw, ending the innings—but not before Saurashtra had clawed back momentum. This resilience echoed the tournament's storied history of improbable comebacks, reminiscent of Saurashtra's 2022 triumph, their first Ranji title after years of near misses.

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At stumps, Karnataka openers Agarwal (31 not out) and Devdutt Padikkal (18 not out) steadied the second innings at 89 for one, still holding an 85-run advantage with nine wickets intact. The visitors, four-time champions and perennial contenders, will look to build on this platform on Day 4, while Saurashtra's bowlers, led by Sakariya's pace, aim to exploit any fragility. With both teams vying for semifinal spots in the revamped 2025 format—featuring 38 teams across Elite and Plate divisions—the outcome here could ripple through Group B standings. As the Ranji Trophy, contested since 1934 to honour India's cricketing heritage, enters its knockout phase next month, this Rajkot battle underscores the domestic circuit's blend of skill, strategy, and sheer willpower.

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