Debutant left arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh claimed six wickets
as hosts Tamil Nadu thrashed Saurashtra by an innings and 70 runs to start its campaign
in the Ranji Trophy Elite ‘D’ First Round match on a winning note in Coimbatore on Monday.
The home team took just 15.4 overs on the final morning to wrap the Saurashtra innings
as Gurjapneet Singh and another debutant right arm pacer R Sonu Yadav shared nine
wickets among them.
Saurashtra, who were in a state of disarray at 35 for five in 25 overs, when rain ruled
out play in the final session yesterday and trailed by 129 runs, were bowled out for 94
in 40.4 overs
Gurjapneet who ran through the Saurashtra top order yesterday with four wickets, added two
more today for a dream debut with six for 22, while Sonu too had a memorable debut claiming
three for 29, adding to his three wickets in the first innings and returned with a match haul of
six wickets.
Except No.7 batsman Sheldon Jackson, who top scored with 38 and Arpit Vasavada (22)
and skipper Jaydev Unadkat’s 15, rest of the batsmen did not touch the double figure as
the home team speedsters tormented them with pace and swing and moving the ball in
both the directions, as Saurashtra caved in without a fight.
Gurjapneet Singh was adjudged man of the match.
Tamil Nadu gained seven points, including a bonus point for innings victory.
It faces Delhi in the second match at the National Capital from October 18.
Brief scores :
Saurashtra 203 and 94 all out in 40.4 overs (Sheldon Jackson 38, Gurjapneet Singh
six for 22, R.Sonu Yadav three for 29) lost to Tamil Nadu 367.
