Maharashtra vs Saurashtra, Final at Ahmedabad, Hazare Trophy, Dec 02 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

5:35pm And, that will be that. This has been a riveting season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with several records tumbling. In the end, though, Saurashtra trumped Maharashtra in another game that was decided by fine margins. But these teams, along with many others, will be back in domestic action soon, with the Ranji Trophy beginning in a few days' time. Till then, this is me (Shashwat) on behalf of Abhimanyu, Ranjith and Sudarshanan signing off. Goodbye and take care!

Jaydev Unadkat, Saurashtra captain: (On the feeling of winning the final) Unbelievable and yet to sink in. Winning one time is amazing but winning it second time proves that we are a champion side. Big game, big guys stepped up. I think that is something I have been looking to do (to set tone). Everyone has to step up at the right time, it is a team game. We have guys who have come into any situation and have won the game for us. I think special mention to the way Sheldon played. The way he played out proves that he belongs at this level and probably at the higher level. If any one guy deserves to play at the higher level, it is Chirag Jani. There were nerves and you know it can go either way. They were on the money in the middle overs. I would also like to congratulate them for an extraordinary season, especially to Rutu and the way he led his side. They deserve nothing less than us. (On how well Saurashtra gel together) I think that is why we have been doing well. A domestic tournament in India is pretty touch. You have to perform through and through. One bad game here and there could cost you the season. The credit goes to everyone - the players and the association, who have been giving us the facilities. The team management as well and the families who are here to support us.

Gaikwad is also the Player of the Series. Here is him speaking again: (Runs in the knockouts) I think it was important for me to get back. I was coming back from injury. I had to lead from the front being the senior player and the responsible batter in the team. Two or three players were young and I had to deliver on the big stage. (On his technique) I am just trying to enjoy the game and just focussing on what is required for the team. Looking to get good starts and tyring to convert them. Trying to be as consistent as I can. I was actually enjoying a lot (at the start of today's innings). The kind of bowling attack they had, and the lines and lengths they were bowling, it was challenging. I was being challenged, so I had to enjoy it and I had to make sure that I was calm and staying till the 42-45th over. To be honest, there was a lot of difference. If the afternoon wicket was the same as it was in the morning, things would have been different. After 25 overs, the wicket got a little bit better. Maybe if the wicket was better, we would have scored 300-320.

Sheldon Jackson, Player of the Match: (On his innings) I am grateful that I came back in form at the right time. Grateful to my teammates, the team management and the association for backing me. Experience counts but if you are not scoring runs, what is the point of experience. The plan was to not lose early wickets to the new ball. After that, just pace your innings.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Maharashtra captain: (Runs on the board) I think the toss did play a crucial role, we were lagging behind. It was 30-70 percent of advantage/disadvantage. After 30-40 overs, we were ahead. Batting first, 250 was a very good total. (On early wickets) On this kind of wicket, you can tend to lose one or two wickets. It is part and parcel of the game. Really proud of the way the team played today. Lot of positives (in this tournament). We won eight games on the trot. Most were playing their first final tonight. Really proud of how the team has gone and how the management has taken care of them.

Stick around folks, the post-match presentation ceremony is just round the corner! Time to hear from the players!

5:10pm A fairly comfortable win for Saurashtra in the end, although that did not seem to be the case for large swathes. They won a handy toss but were put under pressure in the middle overs, with Gaikwad scoring his third successive century. Once he was dismissed, though, Saurashtra tightened their grip on the game, eventually restricting Maharashtra to a below-par total. Jackson then replied with a hundred of his own and kept his side ahead of the game, until a middle overs collapse, which included the quick dismissals of Mankad, Vasavada and Vyas, threatened to derail things. Just when the pressure was amped up, though, Jani came out and batted superbly, ensuring that Saurashtra got past the finish line and completed the job.

Plenty of positives to take for Maharashtra, most notably the way their captain batted throughout the tournament. On the day of the final, though, they let themselves down in the field a touch, meaning that their total, which was anyway not a massive score, felt a little smaller.

A false start as Jani spots someone moving behind the bowler's arm

Mukesh to continue. 16 needed off five overs now

Around the wicket now

Ingale back into the attack

Jani has played a brilliant knock in the context of the game. Has taken the pressure off Jackson and has kept the required run-rate in check