Ranji Trophy 2018-19: Saurashtra needs 55 more runs to qualify for the finals; Pujara 108* and Jackson’s 90* deflates Karnataka

Cheteshwar Pujara scored his 49th FC century.

Saurashtra ended day four of their 2018-19 Ranji Trophy semi-final match against Karnataka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, needing just 55 runs to win and face Vidarbha in the finals.

The heroes of Saurashtra’s 279-run chase proved to be Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson. After R Vinay Kumar had dismissed Snell Patel and Vishvarajsinh Jadeja for ducks and A Mithun had accounted for Harvik Desai for 9, Saurashtra found themselves 23/3 when Pujara and Jackson came together to save their team.

Luck favored Pujara in the second innings as well after he nicked one to the keeper off Vinay Kumar, but the umpire didn’t give Pujara out. The same thing has happened in the first innings also, leaving Karnataka side scratching their heads.

Pujara went onto make his 49^th First-Class century and remained unbeaten on 108 off 216 balls with 14 fours, while Sheldon Jackson gave him excellent company, scoring 90* in 204 balls with 13 fours. The duo added 201* runs for the fourth wicket.

Saurashtra will need just 55 runs to ensure a place in the finals against Vidarbha and have 7 wickets in hand.

BRIEF SCORES:
KAR 275 & 239 AND SAU 236 & 224/3 (C PUJARA 108*, S JACKSON 90*; V KUMAR 2/48)
Saurashtra Need 55 Run(s) to Win with 7 wickets in hand