Ranji Trophy 2022-23: Saurashtra overcome batting wobble to set up final clash with Bengal

Bengal will take on Saurashtra in the final of the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 after both teams won their respective semi-final matches on Sunday, February 12.

Bengal beat defending champions Madhya Pradesh by 306 runs on Day 5 of the first semi-final played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. Resuming their second innings on 279/9, Bengal were all-out without any addition to their total as Avesh Khan trapped Ishan Porel (one) lbw.

Madhya Pradesh were set an improbable target of 548 runs to book a place in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 final. They came out all guns blazing, but were all-out for 241 in 39.5 overs, ending their innings at a run rate of 6.05.

Pradipta Pramanik starred for Bengal with figures of 5/51 in 10.5 overs, while Mukesh Kumar chipped in with 2/35. For Madhya Pradesh, Rajat Patidar top-scored with 52 off 58 deliveries, while Anubhav Agarwal remained unbeaten on 30 off 12, slamming four sixes and a four. Pramanik sealed Bengal’s berth in the final by dismissing Gaurav Yadav for a duck.

𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙨! 👏🏻👏🏻

Bengal register a 306-run victory over Madhya Pradesh in #SF1 of the @mastercardindia #RanjiTrophy and seal their position in the finals!

Scorecard ▶️ bcci.tv/domestic/ranji… #MPvBEN https://t.co/pOWkc1gD41

In the second semi-final of the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Saurashtra registered a hard-fought four-wicket win over Karnataka. Resuming their second innings on 123/4, Karnataka were bowled out for 234.

Nikin Jose scored 109 off 161 balls, but the middle and lower order could not come up with too many significant contributions. Krishnappa Gowtham scored 23, while Vijaykumar Vyshak chipped in with 20, but Karnataka were always fighting a losing battle.

For Saurashtra, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja and Chetan Sakariya claimed four wickets each, while Parth Bhut picked up the other two scalps to fall. Chasing 115, Saurashtra crumbled to 42/5 as Krishnappa Gowtham (3/38) and Vasuki Koushik (3/32) came up with terrific bowling performances.

Saurashtra Won by 4 Wicket(s) (Qualified) #KARvSAU #RanjiTrophy #SF2 Scorecard:bcci.tv/domestic/ranji…

Saurashtra skipper Arpit Vasavada (47*) and Sakariya (24), however, added 63 runs for the sixth wicket to kill Karnataka’s hopes of an unexpected triumph.

Ranji Trophy 2022-23 semi-finals: Brief scores

1st semi-final: Bengal (438 & 279) beat Madhya Pradesh (170 & 241) by 306 runs; Player of the Match - Akash Deep (5/42 & 1/18)

2nd semi-final: Saurashtra (527 & 117/6) beat Karnataka (407 & 234) by four wickets; Player of the Match - Arpit Vasavada (202 & 47*)

Ranji Trophy 2022-23 final date

The Ranji Trophy 2022-23 final between Saurashtra and Bengal will be played from February 16 to 20.