Saurashtra fight to delay the inevitable

Rajkot: Saurashtra's middle and lower order showed a lot of grit, adding 281 runs but Rest of India remained firm favourites to win the Irani Cup match here on Monday.
At stumps on third day, Saurashtra reached to 368/8, riding on half-centuries from the quartet comprising Sheldon Jackson (71), Arpit Vasavada (55), Prerak Mankad (72) and skipper Jaydev Unadkat (78 batting). The overall lead is 92 runs now and Saurashtra will like to stretch it to at least 175 in order to set the cat among the pigeons.
With 276 runs in arrears, Saurashtra were staring at a humiliating innings defeat after being reduced to 87 for 5 before lunch. However, Jackson and Vasavada, who have bailed Saurashtra out many-a-times in the past, added 117 runs for the sixth wicket to steady the ship.
But, it was the 144-run eighth wicket stand between Unadkat and all-rounder Mankad that raised visions — however improbable it may look at the moment — of pulling off a heist.
Brief scores:
Saurashtra 98 & 368/8 (Unadkat 78 batting, Mankad 72, Jackson 71; Saurabh 3-80, Kuldeep 3-85) vs Rest of India 374. agencies