Vineet Saxena batted out the second consecutive day as he notched up his highest first class score and became the 21st batsman to score a double ton in a Ranji Trophy final. It was Rahul Dravid who last accomplished this feat back in 1997-98 season for Karnatka against Uttar Pradesh. Although innings run rate was very low, Saxena’s double ton puts Rajasthan in a commanding position against the host Tamil Nadu.
Saxena, after a mammoth stand with his opening partner put on another century run partnership for the second wicket with his captain Hrishikesh Kanitkar. He made a patient 67 before being caught behind by Dinesh Karthik off Sunny Gupta. This was Karthik’s 250th victim in first class cricket, but hardly any joy was shown by the hosts.
Rajasthan will look to pile on as much as possible on the third day and expect the wicket to crumble and take turn on the fourth and the fifth day. Tamil Nadu will have their task cut out while chasing this mammoth total to win their third Ranji Trophy title.
