Punjab qualified for the Semifinals of the Vijay Merchant Trophy thanks to the first innings lead over Saurashtra. Rahul Arora missed out on the double century as he got out at 195. Arora was severe on Saurashtra bowling smashing 6 sixes and 19 fours in his 267 balls. He was given good support by T Kanish who made 88 (2 sixes, 6 fours) as they put on 198 for the seventh wicket in 45 overs. Punjab were all out for 493 in the 117th over. S Padhiyar picked up three of the four wickets to fall on the third day. At the close of play Saurashtra were 197/5 in 50 overs in their second innings. BM Chauhan made 46 and A Sinha 38 to steady the innings after losing J Yadav for a duck. S Padhiyar was inbeaten on 35 with CA Pujara on 32. Vipul Sharma picked up 3/26 to take the match tally to 8/69.

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