Pujara, Jogiyani set up Saurashtra win

Crucial knocks by middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara (75 not out) and Sagar Jogiyani (77) helped Saurashtra register their first win in the Ranji Trophy one-day tournament as they defeated Baroda by five wickets and two balls to spare at the SCA stadium in Khandheri on Thursday.

Chasing 248 to win, Saurashtra achieved the target with five wickets and two balls to spare.

Pujara's unbeaten knock came in 68 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes while Jogiyani scored his runs in 97 balls with the help of seven fours and a six.

For Baroda, Irkam Zapawala and Rajesh Pawar took two wickets each giving away 35 and 43 runs respectively.

Earlier, electing to bat first, Baroda posted a competitive total of 247 runs before being bowled out in 49.4 overs.

Azhar Bilakhiya made 85 (107 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes), while Rakesh Solanki scored 57 from 73 balls with five hits to the fence.

Medium pacer, Jayesh Odedara was the pick of the bowlers claiming four wickets for 44 runs.

Brief scores: Baroda 247 all out in 49.3 overs (Azhar Bilakhiya 85, Rakesh Solanki 57, Jayesh Odedara 4 for 44) against Saurashtra 250 for 5 in 49.4 overs (Sagar Jogiyani 77, Cheteshwar Pujara 75 not out, Irkam Zapawala 2 for 35, Rajesh Pawar 2 for 43).