Saurashtra has won the Ranji Trophy for the second time in three years after beating Bengal in the final of the 2022-23 season. The victory was achieved by Saurashtra in the final match, which was held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Saurashtra, who were runners-up in the previous season, were dominant throughout the tournament, winning eight out of their 10 matches to reach the final. Bengal, on the other hand, had a mixed campaign, winning five out of their 10 matches to reach the final.
The final was a closely contested match, with both teams putting up a strong fight. Bengal batted first and scored 217 in their first innings, with Saurashtra’s bowlers doing an excellent job of restricting the opposition. Saurashtra then took the lead in the match by scoring 359 in their first innings, thanks to a brilliant century by Arpit Vasavada.
Bengal fought back in their second innings, scoring 318, setting Saurashtra a target of 177 to win the match. Saurashtra’s openers started strongly, with Harvik Desai and Avi Barot putting on a 70-run partnership. Despite a few hiccups, Saurashtra reached the target with four wickets to spare, thanks to a composed innings by Prerak Mankad.
Saurashtra’s victory was a team effort, with several players contributing to the team’s success throughout the tournament. Arpit Vasavada was the team’s top scorer in the tournament, with 754 runs, while Jaydev Unadkat was the team’s leading wicket-taker, with 51 wickets.
The team’s captain, Jaydev Unadkat, was elated with the victory, stating that it was a result of the team’s hard work and dedication. He praised the team’s bowlers for their excellent performances throughout the tournament and thanked the team’s supporters for their unwavering support.
The victory is a significant achievement for Saurashtra, a team that has been consistently performing well in domestic cricket over the past few years. The team’s success is a testament to the quality of cricket being played in the state and is expected to inspire young cricketers in the region to pursue the sport.
The Ranji Trophy, which is India’s premier domestic cricket competition, has been played since 1934-35 and features teams from across the country. The tournament has been the breeding ground for several of India’s top cricketers, including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli.