Saha’s attacking ton raises Rest’s hopes of win

Mumbai, January 23 

Wriddhiman Saha struck timely form with an attacking century and also put on a fighting, 203-run unbroken partnership with captain Cheteshwar Pujara to push Rest of India towards the victory target set by Gujarat on Day 4 of the Irani Cup.

Coming in at No. 6 with Rest struggling at 63/4 chasing 379 for victory, the 32-year-old launched a brilliant counter-attack to help Rest finish the day at a comfortable 266/4. At the close of play, Saha was unbeaten on 123 off 214 balls, studded with three sixes and 16 fours. Pujara, who had top-scored with 86 in Rest’s first-innings total of 226 in reply to the Ranji champions’ 358, was unbeaten on 83 off 181 balls, batting in his usual calm and composed style.

Rest, who conceded a lead of 132 runs in the first innings, were 113 runs short of the target with six wickets in hand going into the final day of the match.

The stand of 203 runs in 59.4 overs between the two rescued Rest after openers Akhil Herwadkar (20) and Abhinav Mukund (19) fell before lunch, and Karun Nair (7) and Manoj Tiwary (7) followed them back into the hut soon after lunch. 

Saha, who had to sit out three Test matches against England after getting injured, could not have chosen a better platform to impress the selectors with his batting. 

He took the Gujarat attack by the scruff its neck by playing splendid shots. He soon raced past Pujara and was on 68 to his captain’s 46 in a tea-time score of 169/4. Later, he completed his 11th first-class hundred by lofting Gujarat medium-pacer Chintan Gaja for a four to long-off, the three-figure mark coming off 157 balls with the help of 14 fours and two sixes.

In the morning, Gujarat lost their remaining two second-innings wickets in adding just 19 runs to the overnight 227/8. That left Rest with one hour and five sessions to go for a win. — PTI

Brief scores: Gujarat 358 and 246 (P Panchal 73, Chirag Gandhi 70; S Nadeem 4/64, S Kaul 3/70); Rest of India 226 and 266/4 (W Saha 123*, C Pujara 83*; Hardik Patel 2/59). —PTI