Irani Cup: Rest of India wins after Abhimanyu Easwaran anchors comfortable chase

New Delhi: Rest of India scored a thrashing victory against Saurashtra in the Irani Cup 2022-23. Even after Saurashtra tried to fight back in the third innings, it was a comfortable victory. After getting all-out for 98 in the first inning, the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy winners were out of the game as ROI scored 374 following a century by Sarfaraz Khan. Abhimanyu Easwaran brilliantly chased down 105 with his 63*(78).

Mukesh Kumar’s excellent 23/4 not only stopped Saurashtra below 100 but also gave him the maiden call-up for the Indian team. He is included in the ODI squad against South Africa. Meanwhile, he was accompanied by express pace from Kuldeep Sen and Umran Malik, who picked three wickets each. The most hurting dismissal was of Cheteshwar Pujara, who after a cracking form in County Division 2, handed an easy wicket to Sen on the fourth delivery he faced.

While Saurashtra got three early breakthroughs, it was Sarfaraz Khan and Hanuma Vihari’s show from there on. The pair accumulated 220 runs for the fourth wicket where Sarfaraz went on to hit a century. He played a quick inning of 138(178) while Vihari stood by his guard with 82(184). Saurabh Kumar also scored a fine half-century as the lower order also contributed. Chetan Sakariya took a five-wicket haul and captain Jaydev Unadkat and Chirag Jani picked two each, but the game went nearly out of their hands.

Saurashtra’s top order collapsed again as Saurabh Kumar and Kuldeep Sen did the damage this time. Domestic cricket hero Sheldon Jackson with Arpit Vasavada tried to do the damage control as they laid a 217-run partnership. After that, there was an inspiring 89-run knock by captain Unadkat who was accompanied by Prerak Mankad’s 72(83). They took to the score to 380 and gave a target of 105, which with a strong batting line-up was not challenging for ROI. Kuldeep Sen ended with a five-wicket haul in the third inning.

Priyank Panchal opened the inning, substituting Mayank Aggrawal. He was dismissed for just 2 runs, followed by Yash Dhull’s dismissal when ROI stood at 24 runs. Jaydev Undaka picked both the wickets and tried his best, but Easwaran along with in form Srikar Bharat was too good for a less challenging chase.