At the end of Day 2, RoI is in the lead in the contest. They added 10 runs to their overnight score, and Vidhwath Kaverappa made an excellent start with the ball, taking out both openers.
Cheteshwar Pujara put up some resistance and had a partnership with Samarth Vyas before getting out just before lunch. However, RoI still has a lead of 96 runs and needs only one more wicket to wrap up Saurashtra’s first innings.
The pitch is becoming increasingly difficult, and balls are turning, making batting very difficult. In the morning, Vidwath Kaverappa’s five-over spell left Saurashtra in a tough spot, similar to how a strong gust of wind would damage an umbrella. At the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) stadium, Saurashtra faced early setbacks as they lost their opening batsmen within Kaverappa’s first two overs, following the dismissal of Rest of India for 308 in the earlier session.
The 24-year-old had the opportunity to bowl the opening over, which started with a no-ball but concluded with a wicket. Harvik Desai, facing his delivery, edged a slightly straightened, angled-in ball to the second slip. In his second over, he got Chirag Jani to nick a delivery that angled in towards the wicketkeeper. But Saurashtra had a sound reason to remain assured as its all-weather man, Cheteshwar Pujara, walked in at No. 4.
The battle between Kaverappa and Pujara was exciting. One is trying to draw the other to make a mistake with his self-restraint, and the other was trying to remain withdrawn with his self-restraint.
Given the unpredictable turn and bounce witnessed on day one, along with the spinners’ strong performance, it was anticipated that the Rest of India spinners would also prove to be effective, and they indeed lived up to those expectations. Off-spinner Pulkit Narang had Pujara caught at short leg just before lunch. Left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar had Sheldon Jackson lbw and Samarth Vyas caught at gully in the second session.
ROI is in a strong position at the stumps and looking to take a valuable lead in the first innings.
