Bengal resist, as a slow-burning thriller awaits a heady climax

Rajkot: Skipper Jaydev Unadkat produced a lion-hearted spell when it mattered the most and paved the way for Saurashtra's maiden Ranji Trophy title triumph on the basis of the first-innings lead on Friday.

Bengal had the upper hand going into day five after Anustup Majumdar (63) and Arnab Nandi (40 not out) shared an unbeaten 91-run stand in the final session Thursday.

But Unadkat, who had single-handily taken Saurashtra into the final with a seven-wicket haul against Gujarat on the final day of their semifinal, rose to the occasion yet again to put his team on the cusp of a historic victory.