Cricket news - Saurashtra edge ahead on opening day

Led by a fine all-round bowling display, Saurashtra kept Vidarbha in check at 200 for 7 on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy final.

Electing to bat, the defending champions were in trouble early as they lost both the openers in quick succession after a steady start. Thereafter, several batsmen tried to steady the innings but partnerships just didn't flourish as Saurashtra kept picking wickets at regular intervals.

The middle-order batsmen - Wasim Jaffer, Mohit Kale, Ganesh Satish and Akshay Wadkar - all got starts but failed to notch up half-centuries. The early pressure that Vidarbha were put under by the in-form Jaydev Unadkat was sustained well by the spinners, putting the hosts on the defensive. The two top-order wickets he bagged - Sanjay Raghunathan and Wasim Jaffer - set the stage for Saurashtra's domination on Day 1.

Reduced from 106 for 3 to 139 for 6, Wadkar and Akshay Karnewar again came on to resurrect their innings, stitching a steady 57-run stand. The duo looked good to take the hosts to stumps without any further damage before Wadkar lobbed a short and wide delivery straight to Prerak Mankad at cover point.

Karnewar, however, remained unbeaten and added four runs in company of Akshay Wakhare before the end of day's play.

Brief Scores: Vidarbha 200/7 (Akshay Wadkar 45, Mohit Kale 35; Jaydev Unadkat 2-26) vs Saurashtra.