Ranji Trophy 2019-20, Saurashtra vs Bengal: Statistical preview
Saurashtra and Bengal are all set to lock horns in the upcoming final of the Ranji Trophy 2019-20 edition. While Saurashtra outclassed Gujarat by 92 runs in semi-final, Bengal registered a 174-run victory over Karnataka in the second semi-final. The final will commence on March 9 and will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. Here is the statistical preview.
Saurashtra have qualified for their fourth final in seven Ranji Trophy seasons. Interestingly, they were defeated all three finale appearances by huge margins. Vidarbha trounced Saurashtra by 78 runs in the previous edition, while they were beaten twice by Mumbai in 2015-16 and 2012-13. Saurashtra have never lifted the trophy after 1943-44 (when Western India clinched the title).
Having defeated Karnataka at the penultimate stage, Bengal entered their first final after the 2006-07 season. They won their previous Ranji Trophy title in Sourav Ganguly's debut season back in 1989-90. Previously, Bengal won the tournament in 1938-39 when they defeated Southern Punjab. Post 2000, they have qualified for the finals in mere two editions - 2005-06 and 2006-07.
Jaydev Unadkat scripted history after becoming the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in a Ranji Trophy season with 65 wickets. The overall tally is led by spinner Ashutosh Aman who snapped up 68 wickets in 2018-19 season and overtook the Indian legend Bishan Singh Bedi. Now, Unadkat is four wickets shy of breaking this record with Saurashtra securing a place in the final.
Saurashtra middle order batsman Sheldon Jackson has so far scored 783 runs in 16 innings at 52.20 this season. The tally includes three tons and as many fifties. He needs 124 more runs to register the most runs in a Ranji Trophy season for Saurashtra. Cheteshwar Pujara is presently their leading run-scorer, having scored 906 runs in the 2008-09 season.
