Ranji SF: Gaja leads Gujarat's fight back after conceding first-innings lead

Medium-pacer Chintan Gaja grabbed a fifer to lead Gujarat's fight-back after y conceded a 52-run first-innings lead against Saurashtra on third day of ir Ranji Trophy semi-final here on Monday. Gaja (5/15) reduced Saurashtra to 66 for 5 in ir second essay at end of day three as hosts took an overall lead of 118 at SCA Stadium in Khandheri. 25-year-old Ahmedabad-born Gaja bowled in right areas and was handsomely rewarded for his efforts.

His scalps included Harvik Desai (0), Kishan Parmar (0), Avi Barot (1), Vishwaraj Jadeja (6) and first-innings centurion Sheldon Jackson (0) to reduced Saurashtra to 15 for 5. But an experienced Arpit Vasavada (23 t out) and Chetan Sakariya (32 t out) stood tall against Gujarat bowlers till stumps were drawn. This was after hosts, who had posted 304, bundled out Gujarat for 252 in ir first essay. Gujarat was reeling at 155 for 8 at one st in ir first innings, but n Rujul Bhatt (71 off 212 balls) and Gaja (61 off 103 balls) joined hands to bail ir side out by adding 87 runs for eighth wicket.

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It was Saurashtra skipper Jaydev Unadkat (3/86), who broke stand by dismissing Bhatt, caught by Avi Barot. Bhatt's dismissal paved way for hosts to take first-innings lead. Earlier in morning, Saurashtra's Chirag Jani gave Gujarat a double blow after removing overnight batsman Axar Patel (21) and Roosh Kalaria (0) in quick succession. But a determined Bhatt, who stuck six boundaries, stood in ir way. He found an able partner in Gaja, whose kck was laced with six boundaries and four hits over fence.

Gujarat took lunch at 211 for 8, still adrift by 93 runs. duo raised Gujarat's hopes of taking first-innings lead before Unadkat broke stand. Saurashtra will have to bat deep on fourth day to post a competitive target for Gujarat.

Brief Scores: Saurashtra 304 and 66/5 (Chetan Sakariya 32 batting, Chintan Gaja 5/15) v/s Gujarat 252 (Rujul Bhatt 71, Chintan Gaja 61; Jaydev Unadkat 3-86). Saurashtra lead by 118 runs.

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